Summary
- Delaware is transitioning to electric vehicles with a requirement for certain state-owned passenger vehicles to be zero emission by 2040
- House Bill 9 mandates that 15% of state-owned vehicles must be zero emission by 2026, increasing to 50% by 2032
- The bill exempts law enforcement, emergency personnel, and school officials with take-home cars
- Delaware currently has about 3,000 state-owned cars, with 1,200 falling under HB 9
- By 2032, 82% of new cars and trucks sold in Delaware must be electric or hybrid models, per the Carney administration’s emissions standards
Article
Delaware is making strides in its transition from gas-powered vehicles to electric vehicles, with a requirement that certain state-owned passenger vehicles must be zero emission by 2040. The bill, known as House Bill 9, was signed into law by Gov. John Carney and mandates that 15% of all light-duty vehicles and passenger cars owned by the state must be zero emission by 2026, increasing in steps over the next 16 years. Law enforcement and emergency personnel, as well as school officials with cars designated for take-home use, are exempt from this requirement.
There are currently about 3,000 passenger and light-duty vehicles owned by the state of Delaware, with an estimated 1,200 falling under the requirements of HB 9. The state has around 160 electric vehicles in its inventory and maintains 117 charging stations. The Office of Management and Budget oversees the state’s fiscal planning and purchases and ensures that cars are replaced after seven years or 80,000 miles. The Delaware Department of Transportation also owns a fleet of cars and estimates the need to replace 15 vehicles per year to comply with the new law.
HB 9 is part of Gov. Carney’s efforts to reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. The administration set emissions standards for cars last fall, requiring that by 2032, 82% of new cars and trucks sold in the state must be electric or hybrid models. While adoption of electric vehicles has been slow in Delaware due to cost, federal and state tax credits aim to make them more appealing. The average cost of an electric car in 2024 was $47,870, with an estimated cost differential of $10,500 per car and an annual fuel savings of $265 per electric vehicle.
Dustyn Thompson, director of the Sierra Club Delaware, praised HB 9 as a significant step in reducing car maintenance costs and ensuring compliance with regulations. The Sierra Club supported the bill and was grateful for Gov. Carney’s commitment to replacing retired vehicles with EVs. Rep. Krista Griffith, who proposed HB 9, continued to push for its passage to avoid further delays in transitioning to electric vehicles. The state’s goal is to reduce carbon emissions and promote environmental sustainability through the increased use of electric vehicles.
Despite the progress made with HB 9, Delaware still has a long way to go in transitioning to electric vehicles. With over 925,000 registered vehicles in the state, the state-owned vehicles covered by the bill make up less than one percent of total cars on the road. The state continues to work towards its goal of achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, with additional initiatives and policies aimed at reducing reliance on gas-powered vehicles. The transition to electric vehicles is a key component of Delaware’s efforts to combat climate change and promote a cleaner, more sustainable future for the state.
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