Eight governors vowed to put 3.3 million zero-emission cars in production and on the roads by 2025, NBC News reported.
The agreement reached by Jerry Brown of California, Deval Patrick Massachusetts, Dan Molloy of Connecticut, Lincoln Chafee of Oregon, Martin O'Malley Maryland, John Kitzhaber of Rhode Island, Andrew Cuomo of New York and Peter Shumlin of Vermont isn't binding or financially grounded, but is pervasive nonetheless.
Not only does the plan ask for more electric and hybrid vehicles, it calls for the infrastructure to support in increase in the environmentally friendly automobiles, such as charging stations, according to NBC News.
"This is not just an agreement, but a serious and profoundly important commitment," Gov. Brown Brown told USA Today. "From coast to coast, we're charging ahead to get millions of the world's cleanest vehicles on our roads."
"The idea is to make it easier for customers to operate and use zero-emission vehicles," said Mary Nichols, chairman of the California Air Resources Board of the increased infrastructure. This in turn will help pave the way for success of the auto industry,"
The eight states, which make up 23 percent of the automobile market in the U.S., currently have 6,700 charging stations, according to NBC News.
Environmentally friendly cars make up just two percent of auto sales in the signatory states, though California has sold the most zero-emission vehicles in the country this year (33,000), according to The Associated Press.
States like California encourage the purchase of electric and hybrid units by offering rebates from $2,500 in Massachusetts to $7,500 in California. California also offers rebates for owners of charging stations. New York is reportedly starting its own rebate program, The AP reported.
