Larisa Manescu, Sierra Club, larisa.manescu@sierraclub.org
Lindsey Perkins, Plug In America, lperkins@pluginamerica.org
Kevin Friedman, Forth, kevinf@forthmobility.org
Noah Barnes, Electrification Coalition, nbarnes@electrificationcoalition.org
NATIONWIDE - Today, the Sierra Club, Plug In America, the Electrification Coalition, and Forth released the latest version of AchiEVe: Model Policies to Accelerate Electric Vehicle Adoption, a national toolkit designed to accelerate the switch to clean, electric vehicles (EVs) in an effective and equitable way by providing various stakeholders with model EV policies at the state, local, and utility levels.
This is the fifth edition of the toolkit, originally released in 2017. In addition to the latest information on state and local EV policies, the toolkit has sections focused on the billions of dollars in funding from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) and the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA); tribal governments; micro-mobility; and state and national parks.
The toolkit shows the power of bold and strategic policies for vehicle electrification, highlighting several detailed examples from locations across the nation where policies are working.
“The AchiEVe toolkit provides a comprehensive road map for everyone in the world of vehicle electrification policy to see what’s working and to build on that real-world success,” said Katherine García, director of the Sierra Club’s Clean Transportation for All campaign. “So much has changed since the last version of this toolkit was released in 2020, including tireless advocacy that led to major infrastructure and climate legislation passed in Congress. Now the work continues to ensure that these investments are distributed equitably in the transition to clean transportation, leaving no person or community behind.”
“The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Inflation Reduction Act have created tremendous new opportunities to advance transportation electrification, but state and local governments must continue to play a major role in this transition,” said Ben Prochazka, executive director of the Electrification Coalition. “The AchiEVe toolkit provides a roadmap and real policy options for city, county, tribal, and state governments that will help maximize these opportunities, increase charging infrastructure, and electrify our cars, buses, and trucks. This is imperative to ending our dependence on oil.”
"We're in an exciting moment for EVs with the recent federal legislation passed and the growing number of EV models in the market," said Joel Levin, executive director for Plug In America. "States and local governments are eager to bring the benefits of EV technology home, and this toolkit is a remarkable compendium of best practices from around the country."
"The electric vehicle industry has the potential to dramatically reduce air pollution and climate change, increase mobility options for our most underserved communities, and create high-quality jobs - but only if policymakers create smart policies," said Jeff Allen, executive director of Forth. "The AchiEVe 5.0 report surveys a range of electric vehicle policies and provides a toolkit to keep up with this fast-moving industry to ensure constituents aren't left behind.”
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About the Sierra Club: The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with millions of members and supporters. In addition to protecting every person's right to get outdoors and access the healing power of nature, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. For more information, visit www.sierraclub.org.
About Plug In America: Plug In America is the nation’s leading nonprofit organization dedicated to accelerating the use of plug-in electric vehicles in the United States. Formed in 2008, Plug In America provides practical, objective information to consumers and dealerships about EVs through a variety of programs, including National Drive Electric Week, Drive Electric Earth Day, PlugStar.com, and other public outreach events. With our coalition of plug-in vehicle drivers, policy experts and technical advisors, our expertise represents the world’s deepest pool of experience in driving and living with plug-in vehicles. We drive electric. You can too. Learn more at PlugInAmerica.org.
About Forth: Forth is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the equitable advancement of electric transportation. Our primary focus areas include increasing access to electric cars and charging, advancing EV policy, emerging modes such as micromobility, electric school buses and electric tractors, and facilitating strategic partnerships within transportation electrification. Learn more at forthmobility.org.
About the Electrification Coalition: The Electrification Coalition is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization that promotes policies and actions to facilitate the widespread adoption of plug-in electric vehicles (EVs) on a mass scale to overcome the economic, public health and national security challenges that stem from America’s dependence on oil. ElectrificationCoalition.org
About the Sierra Club
The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with millions of members and supporters. In addition to protecting every person's right to get outdoors and access the healing power of nature, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. For more information, visit www.sierraclub.org.