Northeast

Vermont

As one of the smallest states by population and area, Vermont has the lowest emissions of any state. However, net emissions have increased 417% from 1990-2022 due both to a 20% reduction in emissions absorbed by the land and an overall 8% gross increase in emissions across sectors, turning the state from a net emissions sink to a net emitter. Still, Vermont has the largest share of in-state renewable electricity generation in the country — between 99 and 100% every year since 2015, mostly from hydroelectric and biomass energy.

GHG Reduction Targets

All targets relative to 1990 levels

2025

26%

2030

40%

2050

80%

Governor

Phil Scott (Republican)

House Party

Democratic Majority

Senate Party

Democratic Majority

Legislative session

1/8/25 - 5/9/25

US Climate Alliance Status

Member

Key Offices & Links

35

Policies Enacted or In Progress

across 7 policy areas

See all

32

Policy Opportunities

across 7 policy areas

See all

Northeast

9 states

This map shows the occurrence of climate policies passed at the state-level. Higher numbers represent more climate policies enacted.

Compare with other states

Progress by Policy Area

Enacted Enacted policies have been passed or established in a state by a governing body via legislation, executive orders, rules, regulations, and/or other program creation, and remain in effect.
In-progress In progress policies have been established in a state, but final regulations, rules, or plans are pending final approval. This also includes legislation and executive orders that require regulations to be put into effect.
Partially Enacted Partially enacted policies have been enacted in the state, but are missing one or more policy components. Dashboard policies cannot be considered partially enacted unless policy components are available.
Not Enacted Not enacted policies have not been passed or established in the state or are no longer in effect.

Glossary of Terms

The colored bars indicate the status for each policy on the Dashboard, viewed across seven policy areas.

Status	Policy	Policy Area	Policy Category	Year Enacted
Enacted	Low-Emission Vehicle (LEV) Standards Empty column Vermont Low Emission Vehicles Program Establishing Policies Chapter 40 (2022) Vermont Low Emission Vehicles Program	Transportation	Light-Duty Vehicles	2022
Enacted	Zero-Emission Vehicle (ZEV) Mandates Empty column Model Year (MY) 2026: 35% of new passenger vehicle sales are ZEVs \| MY 2030: 68% of new sales are ZEVs \| MY 2035: 100% of new sales are ZEVs, with up to 20% being hybrid or hydrogen-powered vehicles. The state has delayed enforcement of electric vehicle sales requirements until Model Year 2027. Establishing Policies Advanced Clean Cars II (2022) Executive Order 04-25 (2025) Advanced Clean Cars II Program	Transportation	Light-Duty Vehicles	2022
In-Progress	Electric Vehicle Rebates Empty column The State of Vermont EV Incentive Program provides rebates for new plug-in EVs, however funding has been exhausted as of October 2024 Establishing Policies State of Vermont EV Incentive Program	Transportation	Light-Duty Vehicles
Enacted	Low NOx Omnibus Rules Empty column The Low NOx Omnibus Rule applies to Model Year 2026 onwards. Establishing Policies Heavy-Duty Engine and Vehicle Omnibus Regulation (2022)	Transportation	Medium- and Heavy-Duty Vehicles	2022
Enacted	Medium- and Heavy-Duty (MHD) Zero-Emission Vehicle (ZEV) Mandates Empty column By 2035: 55% of Class 2b-3 truck sales are zero-emissions \| 75% of Class 4-8 straight truck sales are zero-emissions \| 40% of Class 7-8 tractor sales are zero-emissions. The state has delayed enforcement of electric truck sales requirements until Model Year 2027. Establishing Policies Advanced Clean Trucks Rule (2022) Executive Order 04-25 (2025)	Transportation	Medium- and Heavy-Duty Vehicles	2022
Not Enacted	Medium- and Heavy-Duty Electric Vehicle (EV) Rebates Empty column Medium- and heavy-duty (MHD) electric vehicle rebates consist of programs and policies that offer rebates to make MHD electric vehicles more affordable to increase their adoption in a state.	Transportation	Medium- and Heavy-Duty Vehicles
Enacted	Public Fleet Electric Vehicle (EV) Procurement Targets Empty column At least 75% of vehicles purchased or leased by the state annually are hybrid or plug-in EVs Establishing Policies 29 V.S.A. § 903 (2024)	Transportation	Lead by Example	2024
Not Enacted	Electric Bus Procurement Targets Empty column Electric bus procurement targets require that a certain percentage or number of school buses and/or transit buses purchased or leased by the state, transit authorities, and/or school districts must be electric or zero-emissions.	Transportation	Lead by Example
Not Enacted	Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging Infrastructure Requirements Empty column Electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure requirements establish mandates for the installation of EV charging infrastructure in new construction or developments, such as residential or commercial buildings, and public parking lots.	Transportation	EV Charging Infrastructure
Enacted	Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging Infrastructure Rebates Empty column The Charge Vermont program offers rebates to cover 90-100% of the costs of installing a Level 1 or Level 2 charger at workplaces or multi-unit residences, and 90%-100% of the cost of installing a Level 2 or DC Fast Charger at a public attraction. Establishing Policies Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE) Grant Program (2014) Charge Vermont (2023)	Transportation	EV Charging Infrastructure	2023
Not Enacted	Electric Vehicle (EV) and EV Charging Infrastructure Plans Empty column Electric vehicle (EV) and EV charging infrastructure plans are documents that provide a framework to guide the development, coordination, and adoption of EVs and EV charging infrastructure.	Transportation	Transportation Plans and Targets
Not Enacted	Transportation Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction Targets Empty column Transportation greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction targets are set by a state to limit emissions in the transportation sector. These targets aim to reduce emissions by specific amounts over time, often expressed as a percentage reduction from a baseline year.	Transportation	Transportation Plans and Targets
Not Enacted	Low Carbon Fuel Standards Empty column A low carbon fuel standard (LCFS) is a market-based mechanism to reduce the carbon intensity of transportation fuels and account for the fuel's life cycle greenhouse gas emissions.	Transportation	Transportation Plans and Targets
Partially Enacted	Bicycle Friendly States Empty column Vermont is ranked 22nd out of 50 in the 2024 Bicycle Friendly State rankings by the League of American Bicyclists. Establishing Policies Vermont Bicycle Friendly State Scorecard Policy Components enacted enacted enacted enacted not-enacted 4/5	Transportation	Public and Active Transportation

Vermont

Key Offices & Links

35

32

Northeast

Progress by Policy Area

Climate Governance and Equity

Cross-Sector

Electricity

Buildings and Efficiency

Transportation

Industry, Materials, and Waste Management

Natural and Working Lands

Greenhouse Gas Emissions Projections in Vermont

Climate Policies in Vermont