California Gov. Gavin Newsome on Wednesday signed an executive order requiring all new passenger vehicles sold in the state to be zero-emission by 2035, as well as other measures to eliminate harmful emissions from the transportation sector.
“This is the most impactful step our state can take to fight climate change,” said Governor Newsom. “For too many decades, we have allowed cars to pollute the air that our children and families breathe. Californians shouldn’t have to worry if our cars are giving our kids asthma. Our cars shouldn’t make wildfires worse – and create more days filled with smoky air. Cars shouldn’t melt glaciers or raise sea levels threatening our cherished beaches and coastlines.”
As part of the order, the California Air Resources Board will develop regulations that will mandate that 100 percent of in-state sales of new cars and trucks are zero-emission – a target that would achieve more than a 35 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions and an 80 percent improvement in oxides of nitrogen emissions from cars statewide.
Additionally, the Air Resources Board will develop regulations to mandate that all operations of medium- and heavy-duty vehicles will be 100 percent zero emissions by 2045 where feasible.
In order to ensure the state’s infrastructure could support zero-emission vehicles, Newsom’s order requires state agencies to accelerate the installation of affordable fueling and charging options. It also requires new and used zero-emission vehicle markets to provide broad accessibility across the state for all residents.
The order will not prevent Californians from owning or selling gas-powered cars.
According to the state, the transportation sector is responsible for more than half of California’s carbon pollution, 80 percent of the smog-forming pollution, and 95 percent of the toxic diesel emissions.