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Oregon’s Clean Car Standards

DEQ recently adopted the Advanced Clean Cars II regulation. This rule requires auto manufacturers to produce and deliver for sale increasing percentages of new zero emission light-duty vehicles. By 2035, all new passenger cars, SUVs, and light-duty pickup trucks must either be battery electric or plug-in hybrid electric vehicles. Overall, the rule will provide cleaner air for all Oregon communities and result in significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions.  

The new regulation also includes provisions to give the consumer assurance that these zero emission vehicles can be full replacements to gasoline vehicles, it includes durability and warranty provisions, and that used car buyers are getting a quality vehicle that will not pollute. Drivers of full battery-electric vehicles already save money on operation and maintenance compared to cars with internal combustion engines. 

As the state makes the transition, new gasoline vehicles will still be allowed for sale through 2034. Oregon has also adopted the Low Emission Vehicle (LEV) program, which requires new light-duty vehicles to meet reduce emissions of criteria pollutants such as carbon monoxide (CO), volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and oxides of nitrogen (NOx) and air toxics. 

Oregon's Advanced Clean Cars II program is one of many significant actions taken toward Oregon's goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions 75 percent below 1990 levels by 2050. While emissions from all other sectors are declining, emissions from motor vehicles are climbing. The transportation sector is the single largest source of GHG emissions – comprising nearly 40% of statewide emissions. 

Other information

  • Manufacturer ZEV requirement 

    To comply with the ZEV Regulation, large and intermediate volume auto manufacturers must report to DEQ on an annual basis the number of zero emission vehicles delivered to Oregon and the number of credits those ZEVs generated. Read the information on the vehicle manufacturer credit balances and their compliance status.

  • Multi-state ZEV action plan
    The action plan is a multi-state effort in providing a coordinated approach to the increased use of ZEVs by specifying actions needed to remove barriers and facilitate the use of electric vehicles, plug-in hybrids and even fuel-cell vehicles. The plan identifies 80 actions the states and other key partners and stakeholders are undertaking, and additional steps they will consider to build a market for ZEVs.