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(May 31) – Gov. Polis signed a package of bills led by House Democrats to get more electric vehicles on the road in Colorado. In recent years, House Democrats successfully passed a law promoting electric vehicles that has made Colorado one of the best states in the country to purchase one.
The Gov. signed a law sponsored by Rep. Sonya Jaquez Lewis, D-Longmont, and Rep. Matt Gray, D-Broomfield, to extend the electric vehicle (EV) tax credit from 2022 to 2025 as it is currently set to expire in 2021.
“Electric vehicles save consumers money and can improve air quality while reducing carbon pollution emissions,” said Rep. Gray, chair of the House Transportation and Local Government committee. “We need to ensure we are supporting these vehicles, getting more of them on the road, and making a cleaner future for our state.”
The state innovative motor vehicle income tax credit is intended to reduce the cost of
alternative fuel vehicles and incentivize their purchase. This tax credit is especially accessible because customers may work with the auto dealer to receive the tax credit immediately at the time of purchase.
“We are living in a critical time for the adoption of cleaner vehicles. The irrefutable scientific data says we must act now. More Coloradans driving cleaner cars will lead to cleaner air, improve public health and help protect our Colorado way of life,” said Rep. Jaquez Lewis. “This new law extends the innovative motor vehicle tax credits for the cleanest vehicles on the market. More Coloradans will be able to purchase or lease these vehicles and our communities will benefit from this growing technology.”
Cars and trucks account for one-fifth of the United States carbon pollution emissions.
HB19-1159 modifies the amount of the tax credit and extends the number of years the credit is available for the purchase or lease of an electric motor vehicle, a plug-in hybrid electric motor vehicle, an original equipment manufacturer electric truck and plug-in hybrid electric truck.
This modest tax credit will help more drivers make the decision to go electric and thus reduce the amount of harmful carbon emissions in our atmosphere.
The Gov. also signed a bill sponsored by Rep. Chris Hansen, D-Denver, to support EV infrastructure.
“It’s critical that we continue our commitment to clean air, climate action, consumer choice, and a robust economy,” said Rep. Hansen. “This new law will invest in EV charging infrastructure and support the transition to zero emission vehicles.”
Rep. Hansen is the coprime sponsor of SB19-239 which was also signed today.
The Gov. also signed a bipartisan bill to increase the penalties for parking in an electric vehicle charging parking space. The new law authorizes the owner of a plug-in electric motor vehicle (electric vehicle) charging station to install a sign that identifies the station.
HB19-1298 is sponsored by Rep. Jovan Melton, D-Aurora, and Sen. Kevin Priola, R-Brighton.