Eight states, which roughly make up 23 percent of the country’s auto market, recently vowed to increase the nation’s number of zero-emission vehicles (ZEV) to 3.3 million by 2025. The aggressive plan would involve moving ahead with the construction of charging stations and other necessary infrastructure.

The message was supported by governors from California, Connecticut, Maryland, Massachusetts, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island and Vermont, all of whom see the benefits to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, improving air quality and public health, enhancing energy diversity, saving consumers money, and promoting economic growth.

"This is not just an agreement, but a serious and profoundly important commitment," said California Governor Jerry Brown. "From coast to coast, we're charging ahead to get millions of the world's cleanest vehicles on our roads."

The cooperative agreement, or “Memorandum of Understanding,” includes creating and participating in a multi-state ZEV Program Implementation Task Force to help support and oversee the implementation of related regulations. The agreement also calls to:

• Cooperate with automobile manufacturers, electricity and hydrogen providers, the fueling infrastructure component industry, corporate fleet owners, financial institutions and others to encourage ZEV market growth

• Harmonize building codes to make it easier to construct new electric car charging stations

• Lead by example by including zero emission vehicles in their public fleets

• Evaluate and establish, where appropriate, financial and other incentives to promote zero emission vehicles

• Consider establishing favorable electricity rates for home charging systems

• Develop common standards for roadway signs and charging networks

The next step, according to California Air Resources Board representative Dave Clegern, is to form a task force with the signatory states to evaluate everyone’s existing rules, levels of regulation, resources and needs. The report should be completed within six months of the signing, and will take the form of an action plan for the states.