In 2021, the MPCA adopted Minn. R. 7023.0150-7023.0300 (also known as the Clean Cars Minnesota rule) to help address climate change and protect the health of Minnesotans. The rule included low emission vehicle standards for particulate matter, nitrogen oxides, non-methane organic gases, and greenhouse gases, and the zero emission vehicle (ZEV) standard. Battery electric and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles are considered ZEVs. The rule goes into effect starting with model year 2025.
Data reporting for ZEV credits
The Clean Cars Minnesota rule provides two mechanisms for manufacturers to populate an initial ZEV credit bank:
- Voluntarily earn early-action credits (Minn. R. 7023.0300, subp. 4)
- Onetime allotment of credits (Minn. R. 7023.0300, subp. 5)
To receive the credits, manufacturers must provide data to the MPCA on Minnesota vehicle deliveries.
Early-action credit reporting
Manufacturers may choose to earn early action credits for the ZEVs they deliver for sale in Minnesota, starting in model year 2022. Manufacturers must both notify the MPCA that they intend to participate in the early action program, and report on their ZEV deliveries to earn the credits. Manufacturers must notify the agency that they intend to accrue early-action credits by March 1 of the calendar year following the first model year for which the manufacturer intends to accrue early-action credits. They must also report their ZEV deliveries data by May 1 of the calendar year following the model year for which they wish to accrue credits. For example, to earn early action credits for model year 2022, manufacturers must inform the MPCA of their intent to do so no later than March 1, 2023, and report their ZEV deliveries data by May 1, 2023.
Email cleancarsmn.pca@state.mn.us stating your intention to accrue early action credits and include a contact(s) who can fulfill data and reporting needs. Manufacturers may opt into the early action program after model year 2022 using the same process and timeline.
The MPCA will allow trading of early-action credits after they are reported and certified, but not before.
Onetime credit reporting
The MPCA will also grant each manufacturer a onetime allotment of credits equal to that manufacturer's 2025 model year ZEV credit requirement. Manufacturers must submit their data on light-duty vehicle deliveries for model years 2021, 2022, and 2023 to allow the MPCA to calculate the requirement. The agency is asking that the data be reported at least annually by July 1, 2022, for model year 2021, then May 1 in calendar years 2023 and 2024 for model years 2022 and 2023.
Submitting data
To establish an initial ZEV credit bank, submit your data using our reporting spreadsheet. The workbook is designed to align with what reporting manufacturers are already doing in California and other Section 177 states.
Submit your data in an unlocked Excel spreadsheet via email attachment to cleancarsmn.pca@state.mn.us.
Key dates
- July 1, 2022: Data requested for model year 2021
- March 1, 2023: Deadline to report participation in early-action credit program for model year 2022
- May 1, 2023: Deadline to submit data for model year 2022
- March 1, 2024: Deadline to report participation in early-action credit program for model year 2023
- May 1, 2024: Deadline to submit data for model year 2023
- Model year 2025: First effective model year for Clean Cars Minnesota regulations.
Next steps
The MPCA continues to develop our Clean Cars MN program and will inform manufacturers of next steps as the information is available.