New York, NY – Speaker Adrienne Adams and Majority Leader Keith Powers, the lead sponsor of Introduction 279, which would make New York City the largest municipality in the nation to requires its fleet to consist of zero emission vehicles, released statements celebrating the legislation being signed into law. In addition to requiring the City to only purchase zero emissions light- and medium-duty vehicles after 2025 so that all such vehicles are electric by 2035, the bill would also require all heavy-duty vehicles purchased after 2028 to be zero emissions, and ensure the entire municipal fleet is converted by 2038. This would not only make New York City a national leader, but would exceed the goals of the United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP27) in its international agreement. The bill also requires the training of city workers on the repair and maintenance of electric vehicles to preserve existing workers’ jobs.

“New York City continues to set the standard for sustainability by becoming the largest city in the nation to require its fleet to be entirely made up of zero emission vehicles,” said Speaker Adrienne Adams. “The Council is proud to champion legislative efforts to address the environmental and health impacts of vehicle pollution, reduce our carbon footprint, and prepare our workforce for the repair and maintenance of electric vehicles. I thank Majority Leader Keith Powers for his leadership on this critical legislation, my Council colleagues for supporting policies that transition us to a more sustainable future, and Mayor Adams for signing the bill into law.”

“New York City continues to lead the country in creating a greener, more sustainable world,” said Majority Leader Keith Powers. “Today’s signing of Intro. 279 enacts a historic piece of legislation that will drive down our city’s carbon footprint and advance environmental justice. Starting in just two years, our city’s fleet of over 30,000 vehicles will lead the way towards a zero-emissions future. I am proud to have worked with numerous partners to have made today a reality.

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