Grijalva, Gabaldón call on feds to accelerate move to electric vehicles

Pima County Supervisor Adelita Grijalva and Arizona Sen. Rosanna Gabaldón advocated Wednesday for stronger federal laws to shift Americans to electric vehicles.

The pair, along with public health professionals and clean transportation advocates, spoke during a virtual news conference sponsored by Plug in America, a nonprofit organization that calls for a quicker shift to plug-in vehicle. They called on the Biden Administration and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to finalize “the strongest possible version” of recently announced draft standards to reduce greenhouse gas emissions “from automobiles and light duty trucks” produced from 2027 through 2032.

“As a native Tucsonan I have deep roots in this community and I’m raising my three children here. I’m very worried for them and their futures due to climate change,” Grijalva said. “The actual infrastructure of (Tucson) is so dependent on cars and trucks. It would make complete sense to me that, for such a necessary element of our society, we should be looking at how we can ensure cars, buses and other methods of transportation are safe and as clean as possible.”

Gabaldón said she’s witnessed the impact vehicle pollution has had on southern Arizona and the health of those living here.

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“Like many, we have friends and family who struggle with respiratory issues and the reality is that the transportation sector is a major contributor to this problem. Today, we are part of a movement to change that narrative,” she said. “The draft rules from the EPA present a blueprint for a future where 67% of all new cars and light duty vehicles will be electric by 2032...”

“This change isn’t about regulations, it’s about embracing a shift towards zero-emission vehicles that protect our health, reduce carbon pollution and create economic opportunities,” Gabaldón said.

According to the U.S. Independent Statistics and Analysis’ Energy Information Administration, Arizona’s transportation sector is the leading source of greenhouse gas pollution driving climate change within the state.