The California Air Resources Board is expected to vote today on the proposed Advanced Clean Cars II proposal to rapidly scale down light-duty passenger car, truck and SUV emissions starting with the 2026 model year through 2035.
Under the new guidelines, by 2035 all new passenger cars, trucks and SUVs sold in California will be zero emissions.
The proposal is two-pronged. First, it amends the Zero-emission Vehicle Regulation to require an increasing number of zero-emission vehicles, and relies on advanced vehicle technologies, including battery-electric, hydrogen fuel cell electric and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, to meet air quality and climate change emissions standards. These amendments support Governor Newsom’s 2020 Executive Order N-79-20 that requires all new passenger vehicles sold in California to be zero emissions by 2035. Second, the proposal amends the Low-emission Vehicle Regulations to include increasingly stringent standards for gasoline cars and heavier passenger trucks to continue to reduce smog-forming emissions while the sector transitions toward 100% electrification by 2035.
California enjoys the largest zero-emission vehicle market in the nation with more than 16% of new vehicles sold being zero-emissions or plug-in hybrids. The figure below shows the proposed annual zero-emission vehicle requirement.
The proposal will substantially reduce air pollutants that threaten public health and cause climate change. While further developing the zero-emission vehicle market, the proposal also takes additional steps to clean up internal combustion engines and will provide public health benefits of at least $12 billion over the life of the regulation by reducing premature deaths, hospitalizations and lost workdays associated with exposure to air pollution.
Zero-emission Vehicle Assurance and Equity
The impacts of climate change and air pollution affect all Californians, but residents in frontline communities are especially vulnerable and often face the most severe impacts. In developing the regulatory proposals and analysis, staff have met with more than 20 national, state, and local advocacy organizations to learn more about the recommendations these groups have regarding staff’s proposals and how transportation electrification could be made more equitable. Staff’s approach to environmental justice and equity in Advanced Clean Cars II is multi-faceted and draws on these recommendations and staff’s own analysis; it does not take every suggestion but does seek to create a responsive regulatory design.
First and foremost, by increasing the number of ZEVs on the road and continuing to clean up conventional internal combustion vehicles, the regulatory proposals will reduce exposure to vehicle pollution in communities throughout California, including in frontline communities that are disproportionately exposed to vehicular pollution.
In addition, the proposed zero-emission vehicle assurance measures, which include proposals to set minimum warranty and durability requirements, increase serviceability, and facilitate charging and battery labeling, will help ensure all consumers can successfully replace their fossil fuel-powered vehicles with new or used vehicles that meet their needs for transportation and protect the emission benefits of the program. These measures are particularly important for consumers in low-income and underserved communities where used vehicle sales are significant. Giving consumers additional assurance that their used zero-emission vehicle purchase meets minimum requirements is key for broader market uptake.
Finally, the proposal offers automakers additional compliance opportunities for actions to improve access to zero-emission vehicles in overburdened and low-income communities, such as providing reduced price zero-emission vehicles for community mobility programs, producing affordable zero-emission vehicles, and retaining those used vehicles in California to support the state’s complimentary policies and incentives.
Incentive Programs and Savings for Consumers
A suite of incentive programs is available for consumers who want to make the switch to electric vehicles or use other modes of clean transportation. Incentives are developed by the California Air Resources Board and include rebates for new and used clean cars, and funding for charging options, and alternatives to owning a car, such as car sharing and ride hailing. The proposed regulation will be backed by Governor Newsom’s $2.4 billion dollar investment in vehicle incentives, charging infrastructure and public outreach.
Zero-emission vehicle buyers are likely to realize as much as $7500 in maintenance and operational savings over the first 10 years of ownership. It is estimated that automakers will offer 179 zero-emission and plug-in hybrid-electric vehicle models by 2025, making it easier than ever for consumers to find a clean vehicle that fits their daily needs and lifestyle.
Many Other States Follow California’s Automotive Emissions Regulations
To date, 17 states have adopted all or part of California’s low-emission and zero-emission vehicle regulations, as allowed under Section 177 of the Clean Air Act. This additional support for the clean vehicle market means that more than 35% of national new light-duty vehicle sales meet California automotive emissions standards.
