California Air Resources Board

Visit the Advanced Clean Cars II web site for more information on the regulations.    

ZERO-EMISSION VEHICLES AND THE ADVANCED CLEAN CARS REGULATIONS

What is a zero-emission vehicle?

Zero-emission vehicles (ZEV), in the context of the Zero-emission Vehicle regulation, include battery electric vehicles, plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, and fuel cell electric vehicles. To learn more about these vehicles and the incentives that are offered to buy or lease them, visit DriveClean.ca.gov. 

What are the zero-emission vehicle requirements in California?

The zero-emission vehicle requirements are part of the Advanced Clean Cars Regulations. This program combines several regulations into one package including the Low-emission Vehicle criteria and greenhouse gas regulations and the Zero-emission Vehicle regulation. Advanced Clean Cars I was adopted in 2012 and Advanced Clean Cars II was adopted in 2022. 

As part of the Advanced Clean Cars II regulations, all new passenger cars, trucks, and SUVs sold in California will be zero-emission vehicles by 2035.

In October 2023, staff launched a new effort to consider amendments to the Advanced Clean Cars II regulations. These include updates to the tailpipe greenhouse gas emission standard and limited revisions to the Low-emission Vehicle and Zero-emission Vehicle regulations. Staff plan to go to the Board in the summer of 2025 with this proposal.

Can I still drive my gasoline car after 2035?

Yes. Even after 2035, gasoline cars can still be driven in California, registered with the California Department of Motor Vehicles, and sold as a used car to a new owner.

Can California achieve this goal?

Zero-emission vehicle sales continue to break records in California. In 2023, Californians purchased nearly 450,000 new ZEVs, a 30% increase since 2022. ZEVs were 25% of new vehicle sales, up from 20% in 2022, and California exceeded its goal to sell 1.5 million sales two years ahead of schedule. With these sales levels, automakers continue to be over-complying with California’s existing Zero-emission Vehicle Regulation and are already poised to meet the upcoming Advanced Clean Cars II requirement that 35% of new vehicle sales be zero-emission in 2026. Visit the Veloz Electric Vehicle Market Report for quarterly California sales updates.

What types of new zero-emission vehicles will I be able to buy in 2035?

You will be able to purchase the same body styles of vehicles offered today, but they will be zero emission. Pick-up trucks, crossovers, and SUVs are all available as well as all other vehicle classes. There are currently over 100 different makes and models of battery-electric, plug-in hybrid electric and fuel cell electric cars available with that number expected to grow in the next few years.  To learn more about the number of makes and models available, see the Veloz EV Market Report.  To shop for zero-emission vehicles available now, visit DriveClean.ca.gov

Will zero-emission vehicles be expensive to buy?

As the cost of batteries continues to drop, the price of a battery-electric vehicle will eventually become the same as a combustion engine vehicle. Consumer Reports recently issued a study showing that battery electric vehicles can already save consumers thousands of dollars over the life of the vehicle compared to conventional cars – and save up to $4,700 in fuel costs in just the first seven years.

Are there incentives to help offset the higher up-front cost of a zero-emission vehicle?

There are several incentive programs to help bring down the upfront costs of zero-emission vehicles. Visit Driveclean.ca.gov/search-incentives for a complete list of incentives.

How is California government supporting all communities, especially those most impacted by poor air quality, with the this move to zero-emission vehicles? 

California agencies are taking a multi-faceted approach to ensure the move toward zero-emission vehicles is equitable. This includes increased incentive amounts for new and used zero-emission vehicles, new assurance measures to ensure that these used cars meet the needs of drivers as well as more directed equity actions from private industry.

Also, of the state’s investment in zero-emission transportation, a proportion is dedicated toward low-income consumer vehicle purchases incentives, affordable and convenient zero-emission vehicle infrastructure access in low-income neighborhoods, and to support sustainable community-based transportation equity projects that increase access to zero-emission mobility in disadvantaged and low-income communities.

Can a zero emission vehicle really get me where I need to go?

Yes. New battery electric vehicles typically have ranges above 200 miles which will meet most people’s day-to-day driving needs. If you need to go farther, public DC Fast chargers are becoming widely available throughout California and the United States. DC Fast charging allows you to recharge your car battery in about 30 minutes so you can get to your destination. Depending on the range of your electric vehicle and how far you need to go will determine how many stops you’ll need to make at DC Fast chargers so you can get to your destination.  

Also, another option may be a hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicle especially as more hydrogen stations are deployed.  Fuel cell electric vehicles can be fueled in a few minutes like filling up your gas tank now.

Visit DriveClean.ca.gov to learn about charging/fueling a zero-emission vehicle.

Are zero-emission pick-up trucks available for sale? 

Yes, zero-emission vehicle trucks are now available and on California roads such as the Rivian electric pick-up and the Ford F-150 Lightning with more options coming soon. Most have all the features of the current pick-up trucks like 4WD and towing capacity with some added features like good torque and the ability to power your home right from your truck. To learn more about the electric vehicles on the market, visit DriveClean.ca.gov.

I like camping and backwoods adventures. How am I supposed to do that in a zero-emission vehicle?

Zero-emission vehicle pick-up trucks, SUVs, and hatchbacks with 2WD and 4WD options are available now with even more coming in the next year or two to meet your camping and backwoods adventure needs. Plus, if an electric vehicle won’t work for your backwoods adventures, you can always consider a plug-in hybrid-electric vehicle that can be refueled with gasoline or a hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicle if your adventure takes you far off the beaten path. 

I've heard extreme heat and cold can affect electric car range. For people who live in very hot or very cold climates, will electric vehicles work?

Yes.  Electric vehicles can be driven in both extremely hot and cold weather. Cold weather can reduce range, but with longer-range electric vehicles on the market, with a little planning this won’t impact the vehicles’ ability to get you where you need to go. Also, some auto makers are adding technologies that help control the temperature of the battery to counteract impacts from extremely hot or cold weather. The good news is electric vehicles are already popular and work for drivers in the Northeast and East Coast and make up over 70% of all car sales in Norway, known as particularly cold areas in winter.

Do electric vehicles have the power to climb hills and mountains? I've heard that some of them cannot make it over steep terrain.

Electric vehicles are designed to perform the same or better than the gasoline vehicles they replace. Electric vehicles have high torque which help them accelerate quickly and get up steep inclines. Today’s vehicles have more electric range, leaving plenty of margin for mountain driving. And electric vehicles benefit from downhill driving which allows regenerative braking to put energy back into the battery, extending how far you can go.

I've heard too many stories about electric cars going up in flames. Are they safe to drive? 

Electric vehicles are safe to drive, and electric vehicle fires are less common than fires in gas vehicles. In 2024, the ZEV Alliance reported three findings. First, in Sweden, from 2018 to 2022, a total of 81 battery electric vehicles and plug-in hybrid vehicles caught fire, compared to 656 gas vehicles. Second, from 2012 to 2021, approximately one Tesla vehicle caught fire for every 210 million miles traveled. This is less than one vehicle fire for every 19 million miles driven for all powertrains (e.g., battery electric, hybrid electric, gasoline, etc.). Third, in Norway, electric vehicles represented less than 5% of total passenger vehicle fires from 2006 to 2016.

Are zero emission vehicles actually cleaner than gas cars?

An electric car produces zero tailpipe emissions, dramatically lowering air pollutant and greenhouse gas emissions even when considering electricity generation. And, even when considering emissions from the powerplant, electric vehicles are cleaner than gas cars. For instance, in California, where 45% of electricity is currently generated from fossil fuels, a gas car would need to get 134 mpg to match an electric vehicle. 

U.S. Department of Energy has developed a Beyond Tailpipe Calculator to estimate the total greenhouse gas emissions for your electric vehicle or plug-in hybrid-electric vehicle. You can enter your ZIP Code and calculate the tailpipe emissions for your car. The calculator includes upstream emissions to produce the car and battery.

What happens to zero emission vehicle batteries at the end of their life?

Retired battery systems can be used in several ways based on their physical characteristics, state of health, and performance, or they will be recycled or disposed if no longer useable. Some battery modules removed from vehicles can be refurbished and reused directly as a replacement battery pack for the same model vehicle. 

In some cases, after use in a vehicle, lithium battery packs could deliver additional years of service in a stationary application. Examples include backup power for homes or cellular towers as well as for large buildings like sports arenas or electric utility grids. Second-life batteries reduce the demand for newly mined materials used in the production of new energy storage batteries.

Are zero-emission vehicle batteries recycled? 

Battery recycling is improving and will continue to improve overtime.  New industries are developing ways to recover the most valuable materials from batteries with the intention of reuse.  They are also looking at a closed-loop battery production process in which batteries are recycled, remanufactured and returned to the same factory.

Also, Advanced Clean Cars II regulations require manufacturers of zero-emission vehicles, plug-in hybrid-electric vehicles, and hybrid-electric vehicles to include a label on the vehicle battery that provides key information about the battery system. This will ensure that used batteries can be sustainably and properly managed at their end of life and critical battery materials are efficiently recovered. All of this will help reduce the need for additional mining to supply critical energy materials for zero-emission vehicle batteries in the amounts needed to displace internal combustion vehicles.

Is there usually a warranty on the battery when I buy a new zero emission vehicle?

Yes. All automakers include a warranty on the battery, and most have at a minimum an 8-year/100,000-mile battery warranty. The battery warranty is not required by regulation currently; however, the Advanced Clean Cars II regulations do include provisions to require automakers to include a minimum warranty on the battery of 8-years/100,000 miles. There will also be durability requirements on electric vehicles that protect the secondary market for these cars.

Should I consider buying a used EV and how will I know the battery is still good?

Yes, used battery-electric vehicles are a great way to get into one of these cars at a more affordable price. As mentioned above, as of model year 2026, an 8-year/100,000-mile warranty on the battery will be required for all battery-electric vehicles  even though many auto makers already provide this level of warranty. There will also be durability requirements on battery-electric vehicles that ensure that the battery still maintains at least 75% of its electric range. There are also incentive programs that include used battery-electric vehicles. Visit driveclean.ca.gov/incentives to learn more incentives for both new and used battery-electric vehicles.

CHARGING and ELECTRICITY

Will there be enough electric vehicle charging and hydrogen fueling stations to keep up with the growing number of electric vehicles on the roads?

California is on the fast track to build out both electric vehicle charging stations and hydrogen fueling stations with policies, investments, and regulatory streamlining, to ensure everyone can charge and refuel when and where they need to.

To ensure a successful transition, Governor Newsom allocated billions to zero-emission vehicles to help make these vehicles more affordable and convenient for all Californians, while building out the infrastructure and charging stations needed to facilitate this transition.

The California Energy Commission’s (CEC) Clean Transportation Program supports the deployment of infrastructure needed to fuel zero-emission vehicles. The Clean Transportation Program leverages public funding with private funds to deploy electric and hydrogen vehicle infrastructure throughout the state, and advances zero-emission vehicle technology through demonstrations and pilots. Additional public and private investment in zero-emission vehicle infrastructure will be needed to achieve targets in the governor’s executive order. Current analysis underway at the Energy Commission examines gaps in the number, type, and location of infrastructure to help ensure equitable access and even distribution of zero-emission vehicle infrastructure. The Energy Commission is also examining grid impacts from electric vehicle load and exploring ways to integrate the new load to use the grid and renewable generation more efficiently.

Is it difficult or expensive to install a charger at my home?

Charging a car at home can be as easy as plugging in the convenience cord that comes with an electric vehicle into a 110 Volt plug. This type of charging is known as Level 1 and can provide about 3-6 miles of range for each hour a car is plugged in.  However, if you want a faster charge, you may want to install a Level 2 charger at your home which provides about 14-35 miles of range per hour of charging. With the new Advanced Clean Cars II proposal, starting with model year 2026, electric vehicles will be required to come with a convenience cord that can charge at both Level 1 and 2 and will reduce the cost for home charging. To learn more about equipment and incentives available now in your area, visit the Electric For All Home Charging Advisor.

I live in an apartment/condo and don’t have control over my parking space. Where am I supposed to charge my electric car?

This is a challenge California is working to improve by investing in a robust public charging network, supporting property owners with incentives to install charging equipment, as well as updating building codes and standards to accelerate the deployment of electric vehicle charging stations in new and existing construction.  In the meantime, please find additional resources for talking to your building owner or homeowners association about installing an electric vehicle charging station.

How much does it cost to charge a battery electric vehicle?

On average, charging an electric car costs half of what it costs to refuel a comparable gas-powered car. Charging costs depend on your electric vehicle’s battery size and the local price of electricity. Most electric utilities offer special time-of-use rates that greatly reduce costs by billing less for electricity used during off-peak hours. Visit DriveClean.ca.gov to learn more.

Will the electrical grid be able to handle all these electric cars?

Over the next decade, electric vehicles are expected to add only a small amount of electricity demand to California’s grid. In 2030, 5.4 million light-duty electric vehicles and 193,000 medium- and heavy-duty electric vehicles will only account for about 4.0% of total system electric load during the peak hours (4-9pm). Today’s smaller electric vehicle population only accounts for less than 1% during the same peak period in 2022. This information is based on CEC's 2021 Integrated Energy Policy Report (IEPR) demand forecast.  See the latest IEPR reports here.

State agencies and policymakers are implementing policies to encourage grid-friendly load growth. For example, management strategies such as time-of-use rates will be able to shift charging to non-peak system hours to mitigate grid impacts and prevent potential system overloads. When implementing time-of-use rates, electricity will cost a different amount depending on the time of day. By responding to price signals through software and automation, consumers can save more money on their fuel costs and mitigate grid impacts. 

Further, electric vehicles can help use the abundant solar energy that California offers. Looking even further ahead, the energy stored in electric vehicle batteries could one day be discharged to shore up electricity demand from a connected building (or even to the distribution grid), whether in response to extreme events or as a part of regular load shifting.

How will electric vehicles work if there is a power outage?

A resilient and reliable electric grid is the backbone for the smooth functioning of today’s transportation sector (powering petroleum refineries, moving fuels along pipelines across the state, pumping fuel at gas stations, charging an electric vehicle, etc.) and will continue to be paramount for maximizing charging options in a future with a large number of electric vehicles on the road. 

During a power outage, gas station pumps and electric vehicle charging stations all lose power and are not able to function without intervention. Charging stations can be strategically backed up with stationary storage, batteries, and onsite generation. 

HYDROGEN FUEL CELL VEHICLES

How is the state supporting fuel cell electric vehicles?

Battery-electric and fuel cell electric vehicles have complementary roles in meeting California’s air quality and climate goals. While both technologies are continuing to improve, we will need both to meet the needs of all drivers and their different driving requirements.

Fuel cell electric vehicles are potentially more attractive to drivers who place a high value on vehicle range and/or fast refueling. This could include individual private drivers with very long commutes and transportation network companies like Uber and Lyft. In other cases, especially for those in multifamily housing, access to at-home or even at-work charging may be limited and a zero-emission fuel that is dispensed in a similar way to today's gasoline can offer a viable alternative.

Fuel cell electric vehicles are also expected to provide better performance and utility in heavier vehicle classes (such as SUVs and pickup trucks which have been a fast-growing sector in California's new vehicle purchases and are expected to grow in the future) and when towing heavy loads.

Will there be more fuel cell vehicles and hydrogen stations available in the future?

Yes. As of the first quarter, 2024, there are 68 hydrogen stations open to the public.  See the latest number on the Veloz Market Report.  Through a combination of public funding from the State of California and private funds, there are up to 176 total hydrogen stations currently funded and planned for development as early as 2026. Additional funding currently available and planned will help ensure the network of funded hydrogen stations in California will meet or even exceed 200 total stations before 2030. State and local agencies as well as the federal government are collaborating with each other to develop the necessary charging and hydrogen fueling infrastructure needed to grow the vehicle market.

While the State of California currently provides grant funding and other financial support for hydrogen fueling stations, CARB has also identified several opportunities for the hydrogen fueling industry to become financially self-sufficient and no longer require financial support from government.  See the Annual Evaluation of Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle Deployment & Hydrogen Fuel Station Network Development for more information.

Are fuel cell vehicles and hydrogen fueling safe?

Yes, both the vehicles and the fueling stations are safe. Safety is always a top priority for hydrogen fueling. Many of the safety concerns that are commonly cited are addressed by today's available technology, safety codes and standards, and best practices for operations.

All fuels pose some risk, and it is important to understand and address the nature of the risks posed by each fuel. Many industry, academic, and government organizations have put extensive effort into ensuring the safety of fuel cell electric vehicle and hydrogen fueling equipment. Various state agencies collaborate with the Center for Hydrogen Safety, which has proven to be a valuable partner in evaluating and ensuring hydrogen system safety.