Delaware Governor John Carney announced earlier this month that Delaware will join 13 other states in adopting California’s Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) regulations.
Managed by the Delaware Department of Natural Resources & Environmental Control (DNREC), the state’s ZEV program is designed to accelerate the commercialization of battery-electric, plug-in hybrid and fuel cell electric vehicles. The regulations, which take effect in 2026 for model year 2027, mandate that a certain percentage of the vehicles delivered for sale be ZEV vehicles.
Transportation is the leading source of greenhouse gas emissions in Delaware. DNREC Secretary Shawn Garvin notes that increasing the number of ZEVs on Delaware roads, along with building out the state’s electric vehicle charging network, are key strategies outlined in Delaware’s Climate Action Plan, a result of a two year-long process involving residents, businesses, and technical experts.
“In tandem with the electric transportation infrastructure investments being made by the state, [ZEVs] will help provide momentum to our transition to an electric transportation future,” says Garvin.
In November, DNREC also announced a $1.4M grant program to expand Delaware’s electric charging network. In addition, the federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law provides almost $18M to Delaware over five years to build out the state’s electric vehicle charging networks along major routes, and contains possible funding opportunities for electric transit buses, electric school buses, and other EV infrastructure.
