Newsom signs order advancing California's clean vehicle transition

Governor Gavin Newsom has signed an executive order to further advance California's transition to clean vehicles. This move aims to spur innovation, update state vehicle purchasing requirements, and accelerate the adoption of affordable clean vehicles.

The executive order follows a lawsuit filed by Governor Newsom and Attorney General Rob Bonta against the Trump administration. This legal action seeks to protect California’s authority over clean air standards amidst President Trump's attempts to roll back the state's clean cars and trucks program.

Governor Newsom's order will initiate the development of new regulations under the Advanced Clean Cars III program. It also aligns state vehicle purchases with manufacturers complying with existing clean car regulations. Additionally, it prioritizes funding for state incentive programs supporting clean manufacturers and fleets.

"We won’t let this illegal action by Trump and Republicans in the pockets of polluters stand in the way of commonsense policy to clean our air, protect the health of our kids and compete on the global stage," said Governor Newsom.

California continues its commitment to zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs) as part of this initiative. The executive order directs state agencies to recommend further actions for ZEV adoption within 60 days. This includes strategies related to consumer protection, infrastructure, voluntary efforts, and local partnerships.

Despite improvements in air quality due to California's standards, continued progress is necessary because five out of ten cities with the worst air pollution are located in California. The state faces severe nonattainment conditions for ozone in regions like San Joaquin Valley and Los Angeles air basins.

Over recent decades, California's efforts have saved $250 billion in health costs by reducing illnesses related to poor air quality. However, if President Trump's rollback succeeds, it could cost Californian taxpayers $45 billion in healthcare expenses while providing $91 billion in economic benefits from maintaining current regulations.

California leads the nation in ZEV manufacturing jobs with 56 ZEV-related manufacturers operating within its borders. The state has installed approximately 178,000 electric vehicle chargers across its territory.

In terms of climate leadership, California has reduced greenhouse gas emissions by 20% since 2000 while increasing its GDP by 78%. Last year alone saw significant achievements such as running on 100% clean electricity equivalent for 51 days and approving plans for what could become the largest battery energy storage system globally.