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PROVIDENCE, R.I., March 8, 2022 /PRNewswire/ — Rhode Island legislators Sen. Alana DiMario and Rep. Terri Cortvriend introduced legislation to fast-track Rhode Island’s adoption of electric vehicles to meet the state’s 2030 greenhouse gas reduction mandate. H7653 and S2448 create a process to plan for charging infrastructure and other changes to make it possible for all new car buyers in Rhode Island to choose an electric vehicle by 2030. Following Rhode Island’s withdrawal from the regional Transportation and Climate Initiative, the bill represents a new approach to tackling pollution from transportation, the Ocean State’s largest source of emissions.
The bill, known as the Electric Transportation Act, is similar to a bill passed by the Washington State legislature in 2021 and reflects a conviction that Rhode Island will need to act decisively to limit emissions from cars, trucks, and buses. The bill was drafted by Sen. DiMario and Rep. Cortvriend with assistance from Green Energy Consumers Alliance, a nonprofit working to harness the power of energy consumers to speed the transition to a low-carbon future and Coltura, a nonprofit working to improve climate, health, and equity by accelerating the transition from gasoline and diesel to cleaner alternatives.
Gasoline and diesel emissions are the single biggest source of climate-altering pollution in Rhode Island, at nearly 36% percent of total emissions. A complete transition to electric vehicles will save Rhode Island $178 million in annual healthcare costs.
“Exposure to air pollution is responsible for number of health problems including asthma and other respiratory harm, reducing this exposure will result in better health for all Rhode Islanders – especially those living near our busiest roads and highways. In addition, transitioning to electric vehicles will make Rhode Islanders less vulnerable to rising fuel prices, said Rep Cortvriend.
EVs with more than 400 miles of…
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