CURE believes Clean Cars MN has benefits for all Minnesotans, especially those in rural places. This policy will reduce climate pollution from cars and trucks, healthier air across the state, more vehicle choice, saving money at the gas pump, and economic opportunities in rural Minnesota.
➜ Cars and trucks are Minnesota’s #1 source of climate change-causing pollution.
➜ Rural Minnesotans live further away from jobs, stores, and healthcare providers. They end up driving more to get to work and perform daily errands. Clean Cars MN could directly benefit rural folks the most—saving money at the gas pump and decreasing their contributions to climate change.
➜ Clean Cars MN is not just about Electric Vehicles (EV); it’s also about Low Emissions Vehicles (LEV), such as hybrids and more fuel-efficient vehicles. Many rural Minnesotans already drive hybrid, “eco-boost,” and flex-fuel vehicles and will welcome more options and increasing efficiency.
➜ Rural Minnesotans need more Electric Vehicle (EV) variety and choice, EVs for all driving conditions that can handle muddy and snowy roads. Clean Cars Minnesota will make more types of vehicles available to purchase for Minnesota consumers.
➜ The Electric Vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure is currently lacking in rural Minnesota. Clean Cars MN could help expand the infrastructure necessary for widespread EV use in rural places.
➜ More vehicle choice for new Clean Cars today, means more used Clean Cars Low Emissions Vehicles (LEV) and Zero Emissions Vehicles (ZEV)/Electric Vehicles (EV) for sale in a few years. This spreads transportation equity to all populations around Minnesota.
➜ Rural Electric Co-op’s power 85% of Rural Minnesota’s landscape and are the logical partner for helping build the charging infrastructure for electric vehicles.
➜ Farmers and rural landowners could gain the economic opportunity to generate clean and local electricity as Minnesota moves from oil to electricity to power cars.
➜ Electric Vehicles (EV) can save Minnesotans money because they have lower maintenance and operating costs. Electricity has a lower and less volatile price than gasoline, and they do not require oil changes and many other types of maintenance.
➜ Air pollution from cars and trucks and its health impacts on kids & adults is not limited to urban areas. It contributed to 4,000 deaths last year in our state alone. Cleaner cars mean cleaner air and healthier Minnesotans.
➜ Water quality improvements—burning less diesel and gas means cleaner water, protecting our lakes and rivers.
➜ Minnesotans are already feeling the impacts of a changing climate. Our winters are warming 13 times faster than our summers, and extreme weather is becoming more frequent.
➜ Rural communities have fewer transportation options and are very car-dependent compared to urban communities. Clean Cars MN Standards are a critical part of ensuring an equitable transition of MN’s transportation, energy, and economy.
➜ If we are not proactive, the effects of climate change will make existing economic and racial inequality much worse. Clean Cars MN is part of an equitable transition for ALL MINNESOTANS.
➜ Our kids and future generations depend on us kick-starting the transition to a clean energy economy today.
