Transportation sector emissions are 34% of NY’s total greenhouse gas emissions. Within this 34%, about 75% are emissions from ground transportation sources — public fleets and private cars, freight trucking and SUVs, and buses. Light-duty vehicles, the largest source of these emissions, have an average lifetime of 15.5 years, and transit buses have an average lifetime of 12 years, meaning many cars purchased today will still be on the road emitting greenhouse gases by 2030 and 2035.
It is critical that New York State act now to implement a comprehensive plan to reduce emissions. to ensure that New Yorkers are do not suffer harmful public health impacts for the next generation, and to make sure we are not ignoring this massive emissions source as we move to implement our economy-wide greenhouse gas emissions reductions goals. New York State has one of the cleanest grids in the country, and converting these vehicles and fleets to zero tailpipe emissions would ensure that we are making bold strides in every sector to help prevent and mitigate
the effects of climate change. The reality of vehicle lifetimes necessitates that New York take action this year to lead the way in ambitious electrification rates.
By setting a ground-transportation emissions reductions target by 2035 above 50%, New York could expand and improve on the planning and programs that will ensure getting people and goods from place to place doesn’t happen at the cost of our climate and health.