Sacramento–Governor Gavin Newsom today announced that California has signed on to a global agreement bringing together nations, states and regions, vehicle manufacturers, businesses, investors and other partners dedicated to rapidly accelerating the transition to zero emission vehicles. Launched by the UK COP presidency, the COP26 Declaration on Zero-Emission Cars and Vans aims to achieve 100% zero emission vehicle sales by 2035 in leading markets, and no later than 2040 globally.
The Governor provided pre-recorded remarks for COP26 Transport Day today lauding the agreement and lifting up California’s world-leading policies to usher in a clean transportation future. California last month surpassed one million zero-emission vehicle sales, a top export for the state. In Glasgow, California Air Resources Board Chair Liane Randolph participated in the launch of the joint declaration today.
California is home to more than 485,000 clean energy jobs and the state’s renewable energy and clean vehicle industries lead the nation in growth. Since taking office, the Governor has taken bold action to eliminate harmful emissions from the transportation sector and drive the transition to zero-emission vehicles. Governor Newsom made a historic commitment to require that sales of all new passenger vehicles be zero-emission by 2035 and aggressively decarbonize heavy-duty vehicles such as trains, trucks and buses. The state has targeted emissions from the heavy-duty sector with bold action to reduce pollution in disproportionately impacted communities.
The California Comeback Plan includes a $3.9 billion package to accelerate our zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) goals, including funding for clean vehicle infrastructure and to help drive consumer adoption of ZEVs. Earlier this year, Governor Newsom joined a bipartisan group of 12 governors from across the country calling for the Biden Administration to create a path with the states to ensure that all new vehicles sold in the U.S. will be zero-emission in the near future and amplify states’ investments in ZEV charging and fueling infrastructure.
