As a kick-off for the first phase of its California Clean Miles Standard Program (CMS), the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) recently agreed on a way for transportation companies to transition and electrify their fleets.
“The Clean Miles Standard Program is truly unique in that it sets requirements for Transportation Network Companies to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions footprint while also providing generous monetary assistance for low- and moderate-income drivers on Transportation Network Companies’ platforms to buy or lease a zero-emission vehicle,” Commissioner John Reynolds, who is assigned to the proceeding, said. “Today’s decision sets the pathway for California’s regulated Transportation Network Companies to increase zero-emission vehicle miles to 90 percent and eliminate greenhouse gas emissions by 2030, targets established by our partner agency, the California Air Resources Board.”
Now, Transportation Network Companies like Lyft and Uber, charter party carriers regulated by CPUC and companies offering paid passenger service via autonomous vehicles will all need to adhere to greenhouse gas emissions reduction goals in the CMS program. The goal is to eliminate emissions by 2030, while increasing vehicle miles traveled by zero-emission vehicles 90 percent.
In this way, the measure marks a collaborative moment between CPUC and the California Air Resources Board (CARB). Now, regulated entities will need to submit Tier 3 Advice Letters on their interim greenhouse gas emissions plans in order to meet CARB’s annual targets.
“Transportation is responsible for a substantial portion of both greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution in California, and it is essential that we transition to clean technology in every part of this sector to address climate change and bring clean air to our communities. Today’s vote by the CPUC means that companies providing essential transportation services will now be partners in helping California achieve a zero-emissions future,” CARB Chair Liane Randolph said. “The Clean Miles Standard charts a path toward the adoption of cleaner vehicle technology while supporting low-income drivers in making the transition to zero-emission vehicles, so that clean air and equity are guiding goals.”
The CPUC plan also debuted a Drivers Assistance Program to incentivize Zero-Emission Vehicle (ZEV) purchases and charging for household incomes at or below 400 percent of the federal poverty level. CPUC will choose and oversee the program administrator for the Drivers Assistance Program and staff will monitor its efforts through regular progress reports. It will be funded by a per-trip CMS Regulatory Fee.
Following all this, phase two of the proceeding will pivot toward enforcement, sustainable land use, AV passenger services, optional credits, prioritization of ZEVs, incentives for rentals and several upfront incentives.