Legislation will make electric vehicles easier to buy, own and drive
For Immediate Release:
Friday, Feb. 19, 2021
Contact:
Lee Francis | Deputy Director
Virginia League of Conservation Voters
(804) 225-1902 | lfrancis@valcv.org
RICHMOND – Today, the Senate of Virginia voted to pass House Bill 1965 from Del. Lamont Bagby (D-Richmond), which will implement zero-emission and low-emission vehicle standards in Virginia.
This legislation, paired with other efforts advanced by the Senate today that provide upfront consumer rebates (House Bill 1979 from Del. David Reid) and expand electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure (House Bill 2282 from Del. Rip Sullivan) means that pollution-free EVs will be easier to buy, drive and own in Virginia, helping us address our largest source of harmful carbon emissions – the gas and diesel passenger cars we drive every day.
While both HB 1965 and HB 1979 cleared major hurdles today, lawmakers have more work before them to finalize this legislation and get it to Governor Northam’s desk.
In response to today’s vote, Michael Town, executive director of the Virginia League of Conservation Voters, issued the following statement:
“In 2020, and now 2021, Virginia’s General Assembly has taken leaps and bounds forward in tackling the climate crisis, first by working to secure our transition away from fossil fuels to power our daily lives, and now by moving to reduce harmful tailpipe pollution by putting cleaner cars on the road. We are not across the finish line yet, but we’re close. We thank Delegates Bagby, Reid and Sullivan for their leadership, and urge lawmakers to finalize this huge victory for clean air, climate action, and a more sustainable future.”
About us:
The Virginia League of Conservation Voters serves as the political voice of the state’s conservation community, working to make sure Virginia’s elected officials recognize that our natural heritage is an environmental and economic treasure for all. Virginia LCV works with conservation leaders across Virginia and strives for a conservation majority in state government. We secure good public policies on the state level and hold public officials accountable for their positions on environmental issues. For more information, visit www.valcv.org.