Golden State Today

The Biden-Harris Administration has granted California a Clean Air Act waiver, allowing the state to fully implement its Advanced Clean Cars II (ACC II) regulation. This regulation mandates that all new car sales in California be zero-emission by 2035. Adopted in 2022, ACC II will start with vehicle model year 2026 and aims to improve air quality while creating jobs and enhancing public health.

Governor Gavin Newsom expressed his support for the initiative, stating, “Clean cars are here to stay. The Biden-Harris Administration reaffirmed what we’ve known for decades – California can rise to the challenge of protecting our people by cleaning our air and cutting pollution." He added that automakers are committed to this transition alongside consumers.

CARB Chair Liane Randolph emphasized the significance of these regulations: “California’s ongoing success in tackling pollution challenges and improving public health is possible thanks to landmark regulations that support technological innovation and move us toward a zero-emissions future for transportation.”

Fossil-fueled transportation remains the largest source of air pollution in California. The ACC II regulation seeks to phase out new gas-powered passenger vehicles by 2035. It promises several benefits, including consumer savings on maintenance and fuel costs, reduced public health expenses related to respiratory illnesses, improved vehicle durability through stronger warranties, increased consumer choice with more clean vehicle models available, and job creation within the American automotive industry.

Additionally, the administration approved a waiver for California's heavy-duty omnibus regulation aimed at reducing nitrogen oxide emissions from trucks.

The ACC II regulation stipulates that starting with model year 2026, 35% of new cars sold in California must be zero-emission vehicles—this figure is set to reach 100% by 2035. Over two million zero-emission vehicles have already been sold in California.

Efforts are underway to make these vehicles more affordable; battery prices are dropping rapidly, making price parity with fossil-fueled vehicles likely by 2026. Moreover, incentives from both the state and utilities aim to assist lower-income drivers in purchasing these cars.

California is also expanding its charging infrastructure significantly. There are currently over 150,000 publicly available charging stations statewide with plans for an additional 17,000 stations recently announced by the California Energy Commission.

It is important to note that ACC II does not ban gasoline vehicles outright but regulates only new car sales while allowing plug-in hybrids. Internal combustion engine vehicles are expected on roads past 2050 as efforts continue towards cleaner fuel supplies under initiatives like the Low Carbon Fuel Standard.