The California Air Resources Board (CARB) has approved a rule that plans for 100% of new cars and light trucks sold in California to be zero-emission vehicles by 2035.
The regulation codifies the light vehicle goals in Gov. Gavin Newsom’s (D) executive order regarding zero-emission vehicles.
“Rapidly accelerating the number of (zero-emission vehicles) on our roads and highways will deliver substantial emission and pollution reductions to all Californians, especially for those who live near roadways and suffer from persistent air pollution,” said CARB Chair Liane Randolph in a statement.
The state now has the most aggressive regulation in the country to meet zero-emission vehicle sales by 2023. CARB said the timeline “is ambitious but achievable,” and by the time a child born this year enters middle school, only zero-emission vehicles or a limited number of plug-in hybrids will be offered for sale as new in the state.
“The regulation also includes provisions that enhance equity in the transition to zero-emission vehicles and provides consumers certainty about the long-term emission benefits, quality, and durability of these clean cars and trucks and the batteries they run on,” the board said.
