In a decisive move to promote cleaner air and combat climate change, the Biden-Harris Administration has announced its approval of a waiver for California, enabling the state to fully enforce its Advanced Clean Cars II (ACC II) regulation. This regulation mandates that all new car sales in California be zero-emission vehicles by the year 2035, as detailed in an announcement published on the official website of Governor Gavin Newsom.
The ACC II regulation, which was initially adopted in 2022, is set to begin with the 2026 vehicle model year. It's a plan to not only put cleaner vehicles on the roads but also to potentially ease consumers’ wallets with projected savings. According to the Governor's Office, drivers are looking to save an average of $7,500 when making the switch from gas-powered to zero-emission vehicles, due primarily to lower maintenance and fuel costs.
As Governor Gavin Newsom said, "Clean cars are here to stay. The Biden-Harris Administration reaffirmed what we’ve known for decades – California can rise to the challenge of protecting our people by cleaning our air and cutting pollution," as stated by the Governor's Office. Newsom's comments emphasize California's role as a leader in environmental innovation, standing against opposition from fossil fuel advocates, including President-elect Trump.
These new regulations are expected to dramatically reduce air pollution, with CARB Chair Liane Randolph noting, "This policy will slash harmful pollutants by over 25%, save lives and save Californians $13 billion in health costs related to respiratory illnesses," per Governor's Office. Randolph's statement stresses the public health benefits, as the reduction in pollutants could also lead to significantly lower healthcare expenditures.
Looking ahead, the ACC II regulation sets a clear timeline for the transition to a clean vehicle fleet. Starting with the 2026 model year cars, the regulation will require that 35% of new cars delivered for sale in the state be zero-emission, a number which must eventually reach 100% by 2035. California has already seen a substantial adoption of clean vehicles, with two million zero-emission vehicles sold and more than a quarter of new car sales falling under this category.
