Clean Transportation

Clean Transportation

Clean Transportation

Revolutionizing our transportation systems is a crucial piece of Sierra Club's work to ensure we all can live in healthy communities, move around safely, and build a future powered by renewable energy.



What is clean transportation?

We all want to breathe clean air and protect our families from toxic pollution and climate change. Unfortunately, transportation is currently our nation's largest source of greenhouse gas emissions and a major source of air pollution. To build a livable future, we must shift away from fossil fuel-powered vehicles and towards clean, renewable transportation.

Right now, Donald Trump and Republicans in Congress want to make it harder to drive clean cars, which will increase how much money you spend at the pump. We can stop them, but we need your help to protect access to public transportation, electric vehicles, and other clean transportation options.

Over the lifetime of the vehicle, a gas car puts out 4.5x more carbon pollution and infinitely more toxic tailpipe air pollution than an electric car.

Why is clean transportation essential?

We all want to breathe clean air and protect our families from toxic pollution and climate change. Unfortunately, transportation is currently our nation's largest source of greenhouse gas emissions and a major source of air pollution. To build a livable future, we must shift away from combustion vehicles and towards clean transportation.

Victory!

In a landmark legal win for clean transportation, a federal court has permanently barred the Trump administration from freezing funds for the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) program – that is, a $5 billion federal initiative to build reliable, high-speed electric vehicle charging stations along America's highways!

The ruling means all 50 states, Washington, DC, and Puerto Rico now have the legal certainty they need to move forward building a nationwide charging network, free from unlawful interference. Sierra Club and partners brought this case on behalf of members who were directly harmed by the freeze.

This is what people power looks like: Sierra Club members standing up to protect clean transportation investment, cleaner air, and better access to affordable electric vehicle driving for everyone.

December 18, 2020

Saint Paul, MN – Today, the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) announced it will publish its draft Clean Car Standards on Monday, which would require new cars sold in the state to emit less climate-disrupting pollution. The rule also regulates that an increasing percentage of new cars sold in the state be zero-emission vehicles.

December 15, 2020

WASHINGTON, DC– Today, it was reported that President-elect Joe Biden will nominate Pete Buttigieg to serve as secretary of the Department of Transportation. If confirmed, Buttigieg will be the first openly LGBTQ Cabinet Secretary.

December 14, 2020

Today, the Sierra Club announced its support for the Tennessee Valley Authority announcement that it will be taking steps to promote the widespread adoption of electric vehicles throughout its seven-state service region.

December 7, 2020

Lansing, MI - Despite a coalition of 15 stakeholders opposing the bill, the Michigan House passed HB 6233 on Wednesday, legislation that would stifle the state’s ability to reach its climate goals by banning electric vehicle manufacturers from providing direct sales and service on their products.  The Senate is expected to consider the bill this week. 

December 2, 2020

Washington, D.C. – The leaders of four of America’s largest and most influential environmental and science organizations – Environmental Defense Fund, Natural Resources Defense Council, Sierra Club and Union of Concerned Scientists – are jointly calling on eight automakers to withdraw from a Trump administration lawsuit challenging state clean car authority, and instead lead America toward the clean cars of the future.

November 23, 2020

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, following Donald Trump’s defeat three weeks ago, General Motors withdrew its support for the Trump administration's attack on California's clean car standards after a year of pressure from environmental, clean air, consumer and faith advocates.

November 18, 2020

DETROIT, MI – Today, speaking at the 2020 Barclays Global Automotive Conference, General Motors (GM) CEO Mary Barra announced that the automaker plans to spend an additional $7 billion on electric vehicles and autonomous vehicles by 2025 -- up from the $20 billion the automaker announced before the COVID-19 pandemic -- and stressed the automaker’s commitment to providing electric vehicles in a variety of styles and at different prices. Barra said the automaker plans to release 30 new models by 2025 globally, two-thirds of which would be available in North America.

November 19, 2020

HARRISBURG, PA -- Last night, the Pennsylvania House passed SB 845, a bill that would impose an annual registration fee of $175 for drivers of electric vehicles and $75 for drivers of hybrid vehicles, a strong disincentive that cancels out the benefits of consumer rebates and threatens to slow the widespread adoption of electric vehicles.

November 9, 2020

BOSTON, MA -- At a Fiscal Management Control Board meeting today, the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) doubled down on procurements of fossil fuel powered buses, failed to make any commitment to set a target year for 100% electrification of its bus fleet (such as other major cities like New York, Chicago and Minneapolis, which have committed to 100% by 2040), and proposed plans to make significant service

October 26, 2020

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, E&E News published the findings of a monthslong investigation that found two major US automakers, General Motors (GM) and Ford Motor Company, knew emissions from automobiles contributed to climate change as early as the 1960s. In the decades to follow, they spread misinformation and lobbied nationally and globally against climate policies.