The Governor’s Zero-Emission Vehicles Budget Proposal
is an Essential Start to Meeting California’s Climate and Clean Air Goals
Funding Stability Needed to Accelerate Goal of 5 Million Zero-Emission Vehicles on California Roads by 2030
California is a leader in clean energy and fighting climate change and on track to meet our greenhouse-gas (GHG) reduction targets by 2020. However, continuing to improve air quality and reaching our 2030 goal of reducing GHG emissions 40 percent below 1990 levels will require a more rapid transition to zero emission vehicles (ZEVs).
That is why the Governor has proposed a multi-year budget initiative, along with one-time allocations, of nearly $3 billion to accelerate the deployment of ZEVs and fueling infrastructure. It is critical, however, that additional resources also be allocated for multi-year incentives for medium- and heavy-duty vehicles to put the state on a path of 5 million ZEVs by 2030 and to meet our climate change and clean energy goals.
Historically, funding has been uncertain and inconsistent year to year. Budget certainty is critical to instilling confidence in private investors and consumers. With fewer than 400,000 ZEVs on California roads today, this budget investment will send a clear signal that California is serious about diversifying its transportation fuels and transitioning to cleaner transportation.
The Transportation Sector is the Largest Contributor to GHG Emissions and Air Pollution:
Cars, buses and trucks represent the largest contributors (39 percent) to the state’s GHG emissions. Recognizing this, the Governor set a target of 5 million light, medium- and heavy-duty ZEVs on the road by 2030 to reduce air pollution and GHGs.
The Air Quality and Health Benefits of ZEVs are Proven:
Zero emission technologies reduce toxic pollutants by over 90 percent. These reductions are essential to addressing health impacts in children, such as asthma, which are particularly prevalent in disadvantaged communities that experience a disproportionate amount of pollution from medium- and heavy-duty vehicles.
A Multi-Year Budget Commitment to Light, Medium and Heavy-Duty Zevs Would:
Provide reliable funding to:
- Continue expansion of zero-emission truck and bus deployment
- Facilitate widespread deployment of zero-emission fueling and charging infrastructure
- Continue incentives for light-duty vehicles
- Enhance purchase incentives for low- and moderate-income households
Enhance equity program benefits for disadvantaged communities including:
- Agriculture-worker vanpools, financing assistance, car-sharing and mobility options that fight poverty and pollution by cleaning the air and creating reliable mobility options
Reaffirm California’s Leadership in Clean Transportation
- Ensuring resources for continued technological advances in clean medium- and heavy-duty vehicles despite the fact the federal government slashed its budget allocation for this purpose
Provides market certainty and consumer confidence
- Historically funding has been uncertain and inconsistent year to year. This reduces private research and development as well as the confidence of investors and consumers
- The Governor is sending a clear signal that California is serious about diversifying its fuels and transitioning to ZEVs
