California’s Push for Zero-Emission Vehicles Gains Momentum Amid Federal Challenges
California is making strides towards a sustainable future, with zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs) reaching 29.1% of new car purchases in the third quarter of 2025. This progress aligns with the state’s long-term vision of a clean-energy transportation sector.
In an effort to combat climate change, Governor Gavin Newsom issued Executive Order N-79-20 in 2020, mandating that all new cars and passenger trucks sold in the state be zero-emission by 2035. The California Air Resources Board (CARB) reinforced this vision in 2022 by adopting the Advanced Clean Cars II regulations, setting a clear timeline for automakers to phase out gasoline cars by 2035.
Qiao Yu, from the Fielding School of Public Health, explained the rationale behind the 2035 target, noting the growing availability of electric vehicles. “If we were to set that going back to 2015, that was a time when only Tesla – or maybe some of those very higher end BMWs – has some kind of type of EVs, whereas, by the year of 2019 or 2020, we are seeing more affordable options coming from electric vehicles,” Yu said.
Deepak Rajagopal, a professor at the Institute of the Environment and Sustainability, highlighted California’s clean electricity grid as a critical factor in achieving the 2035 goal. “From an environmental perspective, California has among the cleanest electric grids in the nation,” he stated, emphasizing the importance of clean electricity in powering ZEVs.
Transportation contributes significantly to air pollution in California, with 50% of greenhouse gases and 80% of air pollutants stemming from this sector, according to CARB. Yu pointed out that targeting vehicle emissions is an effective strategy for reducing pollution due to their substantial share of total emissions.
California’s unique regulatory power dates back to 1967 when then-Governor Ronald Reagan established CARB following the Federal Air Quality Act’s passage. This act allowed California to set stricter air quality standards due to its distinct environmental challenges.
The Clean Air Act Amendments of 1970 further empowered California by granting it a waiver to establish its own vehicle emissions standards, acknowledging its severe air pollution issues.
“California … has always been troubled by air pollution, and that really origins from the car culture,” Yu observed, highlighting the need for cars in the state and the resulting pollution.
The journey towards zero emissions began in 1990 when CARB introduced its first ZEV mandate, aiming for 10% of new car sales to be electric by 2003. Although initially met with resistance, this goal spurred innovation in electric vehicle technology.
With a tradable credit system in place, automakers like Tesla benefited from developing ZEVs. Yu noted that traditional manufacturers purchase credits from ZEV producers like Tesla, adding flexibility to the market.
The Advanced Clean Cars II regulations require automakers to deliver a growing percentage of ZEVs to California, covering model years 2026 through 2035. These efforts have led to more affordable and efficient electric vehicles.
Yu highlighted the positive impact of ZEVs on underserved communities, which have historically borne the brunt of pollution. “If we can make the cars moving through these communities to be quieter and cleaner, that’s going to really eliminate or reduce a lot of the air pollutants,” Yu remarked.
Despite the benefits, California’s ZEV mandate faces federal opposition. In May 2025, a Senate vote revoked California’s Clean Air Act waivers, prompting a lawsuit from the state’s Attorney General and CARB. These waivers had supported regulations like the Advanced Clean Cars II and Advanced Clean Trucks programs, which aimed for complete zero-emission sales by 2035.
Governor Newsom responded by reaffirming the state’s commitment to ZEVs, directing CARB to design new regulations that build on existing rules. Rajagopal stressed the importance of university research in advancing the ZEV agenda. “Universities should be at the forefront of this,” Rajagopal said, emphasizing the role of academic research in driving innovation.
As California pushes forward with its zero-emission goals, the state remains a pivotal force in shaping the future of transportation nationwide.
Original Story at dailybruin.com