electric vehicles

Oregon and California are among a group of states that recently achieved a collective goal of shifting new car buyers toward electric rather than gas-powered vehicles in an effort to reduce pollution and combat climate change.

Oregon environmental regulators could once again delay implementation of medium-to-heavy duty clean truck rules — giving the commercial trucking industry more time for the technology and infrastructure to develop across the state.

State environmental officials say Oregon once again has access to hundreds of millions of dollars of federal funding aimed at climate action. That’s after the federal government froze the funds in January.

State officials are operating based on the belief the Oregon Department of Transportation will be reimbursed for spending as promised in a signed contract — but some in Washington, D.C., don't think the Trump administration will pay the bills.

About a quarter — 25.3% — of all new cars registered in California in 2024 were electric cars, compared with 25% in 2023. The flat sales follow several years of rapid growth, and sales are still far below the state’s 35% target.

Oregon will soon have more than 200 federally-funded electric school buses shuttling kids to and from school following an announcement that the state will get money for more early next year.

The US EPA granted California’s waiver, which the incoming Trump administration is likely to try to overturn in the courts. The state’s zero-emission vehicle mandates have been the driving force behind California’s progress in cleaning up dangerous air pollutants.

Oregon environmental regulators have approved rules that will temporarily delay the state’s efforts to reduce carbon emissions from medium- and heavy-duty trucks, which are typically used for commercial purposes and for long-haul transportation.

California could offer rebates for electric vehicle purchases if the incoming Trump administration eliminates a federal tax credit for people who buy electric cars, Gov. Gavin Newsom said Monday.

Bikers — many of whom love their noisy combustion engines — say zero-emission motorcycles aren’t ready for long-distance rides. Motorcycles emit an “outsized portion” of smog-causing pollutants.

Oregon, California and Washington are getting a major boost from the federal government to advance the shipment of goods by zero-emission trucks on Interstate 5.

The EPA must grant a waiver before the diesel truck measure can be implemented. It’s one of California’s most controversial measures to clean up air pollution and greenhouse gases.