A coalition of eleven US states has launched the Affordable Clean Cars Coalition, an initiative aimed at protecting state authority to set clean vehicle standards and ensuring continued access to electric vehicles (EVs) despite recent federal-level opposition.
The coalition is composed of the governors of California, Colorado, Delaware, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, and Washington.
These states together represent more than 100 million people and approximately 30 per cent of the US automotive market.
According to the announcement, the states will work jointly to expand access to zero-emission vehicles, reduce cost barriers, and enhance charging infrastructure.
The objective is to ensure that clean vehicle technology remains affordable and accessible, while supporting job creation and maintaining the competitiveness of the US automotive sector.
The initiative comes amid a series of actions in Congress perceived as harmful to clean mobility. These include proposals to rescind state waivers under the Clean Air Act, reduce funding for EV infrastructure, eliminate consumer purchase incentives, and impose tariffs that could affect supply chains.
The Affordable Clean Cars Coalition reaffirms state-level commitment to emission reduction targets and leverages existing powers under Section 177 of the Clean Air Act, which allows states to adopt California’s stricter vehicle emission standards. All states in the coalition are considered “Section 177 states”, although not all such states are part of this group.
In a joint statement, the governors stressed the urgency of the initiative, noting that federal interference poses risks to both public health and market stability. They stated: “We remain committed to safeguarding Americans’ fundamental right to clean air. Our collaboration will help create regulatory certainty, support domestic manufacturing, and expand consumer access to affordable, low-emission vehicles.”
Under the coalition framework, participating states plan to:
• Develop strategies to make clean vehicles more affordable and increase availability.
• Strengthen existing clean vehicle programmes in line with each state’s regulatory goals.
• Protect the right to set local vehicle standards under the Clean Air Act.
• Explore next-generation regulatory frameworks to further reduce vehicle pollution.
• Engage key stakeholders such as industry representatives, utilities, labour unions, and community organisations.
• Encourage cross-state cooperation to develop scalable and evidence-based policies.
The coalition also intends to share best practices and identify joint opportunities to improve infrastructure deployment, particularly in residential areas and along major transport corridors.
The announcement follows a sustained increase in EV adoption in the US. Clean car sales have more than quadrupled between 2020 and 2024, and more than 100 electric models are now available to consumers. Public charging availability has also expanded significantly, helping to ease range concerns and support longer journeys.
In addition to environmental benefits, clean vehicles are offering tangible economic advantages. Estimates suggest that EV owners save around $1,200 annually on fuel and maintenance costs, and up to $10,000 over a vehicle’s lifetime.
The Affordable Clean Cars Coalition operates within the broader framework of the U.S. Climate Alliance, a bipartisan group of 24 governors representing 60 per cent of the national economy and 55 per cent of the population. The Alliance has previously supported clean mobility through initiatives such as the Multi-State ZEV Memorandum of Understanding and the State Buy Clean Partnership.
Through this latest coalition, member states reaffirm their leadership in advancing low-emission transport and maintaining progress in the face of policy uncertainty at the federal level.
