Colorado OKs Electric Car Requirement To Fight Air Pollution

DENVER (AP) - Colorado is tightening its air quality regulations, requiring that at least 5% of the vehicles sold in the state by 2023 emit zero pollution. The rule approved Friday by the state Air Quality Control Commission applies to auto manufactures, not buyers.

It's intended to boost the number of electric vehicles in a state struggling to control air pollution in heavily populated areas.

Green Car Reports, which tracks developments in low-pollution vehicles, says Colorado is the 15th state to adopt zero-emissions requirements.

Two auto industry groups, Global Automakers and the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers, applauded the rule. They said they had been working with Colorado officials on how to structure the requirement.

Environmental groups also welcomed the standards, but the Colorado Freedom to Drive Coalition called them costly and futile.

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