Eight governors make zero-emission car pledge

Chris Woodyard, USA TODAY11:03 a.m. EDT October 24, 2013

They say will take 'specific actions' with goal of adding 3.3 million cars


(Photo: Justin Sullivan Getty Images)

Eight governors today are announcing they are pledging to move their states to the forefront of the environmental movement, promoting zero-emission vehicles.

While the steps they are taking aren't binding, they say they are signing on to an agreement that will help promote electric cars and other non-polluting vehicles.

The governors comes from California, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Oregon, Maryland, Rhode Island, New York and Vermont. Together, they already comprise 23% of the nation's electric car sales.

"This is not just an agreement, but a serious and profoundly important commitment," said California Gov. Edmund G. Brown Jr. in a statement. "From coast to coast, we're charging ahead to get millions of the world's cleanest vehicles on our roads."

The goal is to add 3.3 million zero-emission vehicles.

The governors have promised to take "specific actions" like changing building codes to make it easier to build electric-car charging stations, including electric or other zero-emission cars in state fleets, evaluating whether to create or add to incentives promoting electric cars and encouraging lower electric rates for home charging.

http://www.usatoday.com/story/money/...-cars/3176221/