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California is a pacesetter for low and zero emission transportation
nationwide with the highest number of privately registered electric
vehicles (EVs) in the country. Recognizing the serious impact that
gas-powered transportation has on air quality and climate change,
the state has mandated that as of 2035 all new cars and passenger
trucks sold must be zero emission. Still, there is no policy to
spur rental car fleets to go electric in the next fifteen years.
Why is this important? Because "rental car companies are the
largest purchasers of cars and trucks in the United States," so
there is significant potential to influence future buyer behavior.
After all, customers who rent a car "are 55% more likely to
purchase a new vehicle within six months of their rental."  Thus,
California needs to mandate a minimum percentage, ramping up over
time, for electric vehicles in rental car fleets to help introduce
more used EVs into the market, encourage EV adoption, and clean up
the air we breathe.