What Is The Advanced Clean Cars Program? (California)

California’s Advanced Clean Cars Regulation is a legal requirement for automakers to comply with a set of emissions standards relating to different categories of vehicle.

The aim of Advanced Clean Cars is to reduce vehicle emissions and ultimately eliminate them by promoting the use of zero-emission cars and trucks.

Key Takeaways

• The Advanced Clean Cars Regulation is a set of regulations implemented by the California Air Resources Board to reduce vehicle emissions and promote sustainable transportation.
• It consists of two programs: the Low-Emission Vehicle (LEV) Program and the Zero-Emission Vehicle (ZEV) Program, which focus on reducing emissions from light-duty passenger cars, pickup trucks, and SUVs.
• The regulation aims to achieve aggressive but attainable goals, such as having 100% zero-emission and plug-in hybrid vehicles on the road by 2035 and reaching carbon neutrality by 2045.
• The Advanced Clean Cars II regulations introduce new standards and requirements to further reduce vehicle emissions, promote zero-emission vehicles, and drive innovation in the automotive industry.

Understanding California’s Advanced Clean Cars Regulation

California’s Advanced Clean Cars Regulation consists of the LEV Program and ZEV Program, designed to reduce emissions from light-duty passenger cars, pickup trucks, and SUVs.

History of Advanced Clean Cars (ACC I vs. ACC II)

The Advanced Clean Cars regulations were initially established in 2012 by the California Air Resources Board, referred to as ACC I. The primary aim of these groundbreaking rules was to reduce emissions from light-duty passenger cars and trucks through 2025 model year vehicles, emphasizing zero-emission technologies like battery-electric and hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles.

Regularly exceeding its ambitious goals, California met its target of having 1.5 million zero-emission vehicles on the road two years before the set schedule. In response to this achievement and growing concerns for public health due to air pollution—particularly in ozone and fine particulate matter—California introduced an updated version known as ACC II in November 2022.

This new suite of regulations focuses on even more stringent emission reductions for vehicle models starting from 2026, with a longer-term view towards carbon neutrality by 2045.

Purpose and Goals of Advanced Clean Cars

The Advanced Clean Cars (ACC) regulation, implemented by the California Air Resources Board, has a dual purpose. Firstly, it aims to dramatically reduce emissions from light-duty vehicles that contribute significantly to air pollution and climate change in the state.

Such emissions account for 80% of ozone precursor emissions and 50% of statewide greenhouse gas emissions. Secondarily, ACC promotes cutting-edge automotive technologies like battery-electric, hydrogen fuel cell electric and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles on a large scale.

The ultimate goal is aggressive but attainable – achieving sales of 100% zero-emission and plug-in hybrid cars by the year 2035 as outlined in Executive Order N-79-20. This progressive step not only safeguards our environment but also supports public health needs, particularly for those living in regions with severe air quality issues such as South Coast and San Joaquin Valley air basins.

LEV Program

The Low-Emission Vehicle (LEV) Program is a critical component of California’s Advanced Clean Cars Regulation. Initiated by the California Air Resources Board, this program sets stringent emission standards for light-duty vehicles to curb air pollution and combat climate change.

The LEV program focuses on limiting greenhouse gases and criteria pollutants – which include harmful substances like ozone and fine particulate matter – spewed by mobile sources such as cars, pickup trucks, SUVs, all the way up to heavier passenger trucks.

It plays a crucial role in improving California’s notorious poor air quality – areas of which have been declared “Extreme” for noncompliance with federal ozone standards. This commitment aligns with the state’s ambitious goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2045 as outlined in its ACC II regulations.

ZEV Program

The ZEV Program is a crucial component of California’s Advanced Clean Cars Regulation, aimed at increasing the number of zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs) on the road. This program focuses on various advanced vehicle technologies like battery-electric, hydrogen fuel cell electric, and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles.

It specifically targets light-duty passenger cars, pickup trucks, and SUVs to reduce emissions and combat climate change. California has already surpassed its goal of having 1.5 million ZEVs ahead of schedule, demonstrating the success of this program in promoting sustainable transportation and reducing pollution.

Through a compliance credit system, car manufacturers earn credits by selling qualified zero-emission vehicles, driving innovation in the automotive industry towards cleaner and greener alternatives to traditional gasoline-powered vehicles.

Model Years Affected By ACC I

The Advanced Clean Cars I regulations impacted a specific range of model years for vehicles. Here are the model years that were affected by ACC I:

Vehicle Type	Model Year
Light-duty passenger cars, pickup trucks, SUVs	2015 through 2025

Model Years Affected By ACC II

The new Advanced Clean Cars II regulations impacts a specific range of model years for vehicles:

Vehicle Type	Model Year
Light-duty passenger cars, pickup trucks, SUVs	2026 through 2035

What’s New in the Advanced Clean Cars II Regulation?

The Advanced Clean Cars II Regulation introduces new key standards and requirements to further reduce vehicle emissions.

Key standards and requirements under ACC II

The Advanced Clean Cars II regulations (ACC II) introduce new and stringent requirements for automakers, aimed at reducing emissions and promoting the production of greener vehicles. Here are the key standards and requirements under ACC II:

Key Standards and Requirements	Details
Reducing Emissions	The ACC II aims to reduce emissions by introducing increasingly stringent standards for gasoline cars and heavier passenger trucks, which contribute majorly to smog-forming emissions.
Promotion of Zero-Emission Vehicles (ZEVs)	The regulations require an increasing number of ZEVs on the road. These can include battery-electric, hydrogen fuel cell electric, and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles.
Models Affected	The ACC II regulations impact light-duty passenger cars, pickup trucks, and SUVs from the 2026 model year through to 2035.
Effective Date	The ACC II regulations were effective from November 30, 2022.

These standards have been set to address the issues of air pollution, particularly in terms of ozone and fine particulate matter (PM2.5) pollution, which California has been grappling with. They are also in line with California’s long-term strategy to address public health needs and comply with state and federal laws.

Implications of California’s new Advanced Clean Car Rule

California’s new Advanced Clean Car Rule will lead to a reduction in vehicle emissions, a wider variety of emission-free vehicles, and drive innovation in the automotive industry.

Reduction in Vehicle Emissions

One of the key implications of California’s new Advanced Clean Cars Regulation is a significant reduction in vehicle emissions. The regulations aim to reduce emissions from light-duty passenger cars, pickup trucks, and SUVs from the 2026 model year through 2035.

With an increasing number of zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs) required under the regulations, such as battery-electric, hydrogen fuel cell electric, and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, there will be a shift away from traditional gasoline-powered cars towards cleaner alternatives.

This reduction in vehicle emissions is crucial for improving air quality and combating climate change. Mobile sources like cars and trucks are major contributors to criteria pollutants and greenhouse gases in California, and reducing these emissions will have positive impacts on public health, welfare, the environment, and climate change mitigation efforts.

Wider Variety of Emission-Free Vehicles

The Advanced Clean Cars II regulations in California are leading to a wider variety of emission-free vehicles available to consumers. These regulations require automakers to increase the proportion of zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs) they sell, including battery-electric, hydrogen fuel cell electric, and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles.

With more emphasis on ZEVs, consumers have more options when it comes to sustainable transportation. This not only helps reduce air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions but also promotes innovation in the automotive industry as manufacturers work towards meeting these new standards.

Driving Innovation in the Automotive Industry

The Advanced Clean Cars regulations are not only aimed at reducing vehicle emissions and improving air quality, but they also play a crucial role in driving innovation in the automotive industry.

By requiring an increasing number of zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs), such as battery-electric, hydrogen fuel cell electric, and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, these regulations push automakers to develop and improve advanced vehicle technologies.

This drive for innovation leads to advancements in battery technology, infrastructure development, and more efficient powertrains. As a result, it fosters competition among manufacturers to create cleaner and more sustainable transportation options for consumers.

States Adopting the ACC II Rule

States adopting the ACC II Rule include:

• Vermont
• New York
• Washington
• Oregon
• Rhode Island
• New Jersey
• Maryland
• Massachusetts
• Delaware
• Colorado

Impact on Medium and Heavy-Duty Vehicle Electrification

The Advanced Clean Cars II regulations have a significant impact on medium and heavy-duty vehicle electrification. These regulations require an increasing percentage of zero-emission medium-heavy duty vehicles (MHDVs) to be sold through 2035.

By driving the adoption of electric and other zero-emission technologies in these vehicles, the regulations aim to reduce carbon emissions, improve air quality, and promote sustainable transportation.

Medium and heavy-duty vehicles, such as buses and trucks, contribute a substantial amount of carbon emissions, nitrous oxide, and particulate matter to the environment. Implementing the Advanced Clean Cars II rules will help address this issue by incentivizing manufacturers to develop cleaner alternatives for these types of vehicles.

As more ZEVs become available in the market due to these regulations, it will encourage industries that rely on medium and heavy-duty vehicles to transition towards electrification.

By promoting medium and heavy-duty vehicle electrification, not only does it result in environmental benefits such as reduced greenhouse gas emissions and improved air quality but also provides public health benefits by reducing exposure to harmful pollutants.

Additionally, this shift can lead to economic benefits like lower fuel costs and maintenance expenses for businesses operating these types of commercial vehicles.

Overall, the impact on medium and heavy-duty vehicle electrification from California’s Advanced Clean Cars II regulation is expected to be significant in terms of reducing pollution-related health issues while advancing clean energy technologies in the transportation sector.

The Future of Clean Energy Vehicles in California

As California moves forward with its Advanced Clean Cars II regulations, the future of clean energy vehicles in the state looks promising. The goal of achieving 100 percent zero-emission vehicle and plug-in hybrid vehicle sales by 2035 demonstrates a strong commitment to reducing emissions and combating climate change.

With vehicle emissions accounting for a significant portion of air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions, transitioning to cleaner technologies is crucial for public health and environmental well-being.

California has already exceeded its target of having 1.5 million zero-emission vehicles on the road, two years ahead of schedule. This achievement showcases the growing demand and acceptance of clean energy vehicles among consumers.

As technology continues to advance and infrastructure improves, we can expect an even wider variety of emission-free vehicles to be available to consumers in California.

Moreover, this push towards clean energy vehicles is also driving innovation within the automotive industry. Manufacturers are investing heavily in research and development to meet the stringent emissions standards set by the Advanced Clean Cars II regulations.

This not only benefits California’s environment but also creates opportunities for job growth and economic prosperity as companies strive to develop new advanced vehicle technologies.

With other states such as Vermont, New York, Washington, Oregon, Rhode Island, New Jersey, Maryland, Massachusetts, Delaware, and Colorado adopting similar rules or considering their implementation it is clear that California’s actions are influencing policies nationwide.

This shift towards clean energy vehicles will have far-reaching implications beyond California’s borders as more states recognize the importance of reducing transportation-related emissions.

By setting ambitious goals, California serves as a leading example for other states striving towards a cleaner and more sustainable transportation sector.

Implications for Other States

Seventeen states have already adopted California’s previous Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) regulations, and now they will need to initiate rulemaking to adopt the new Advanced Clean Cars II regulations.

While states cannot create their own standards under the Clean Air Act, they can choose to adopt California’s more stringent requirements. The ACC II regulations provide targets for yearly sales of zero-emission vehicles, starting in 2026 and reaching 100% sales by 2035.

This means that other states will need to encourage and incentivize the adoption of electric vehicles in order to meet these targets. By implementing ACC II rules, states can help reduce pollution and greenhouse gas emissions, benefiting not only the environment but also underserved communities that are disproportionately affected by poor air quality.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Advanced Clean Cars Regulation is a comprehensive set of standards and requirements implemented by the California Air Resources Board to reduce vehicle emissions and promote sustainable transportation.

By increasing the number of zero-emission vehicles and implementing stricter emissions standards for gasoline cars, this regulation aims to improve air quality, combat climate change, and drive innovation in the automotive industry.

With other states adopting similar rules, it is clear that the future of clean energy vehicles is promising not only in California but across the country.

FAQs

1. What is the Advanced Clean Cars Regulation?

The Advanced Clean Cars Regulation is a set of standards and regulations implemented by government agencies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, promote fuel efficiency, and encourage the adoption of clean vehicle technologies in order to improve air quality and combat climate change.

2. What are the main components of the Advanced Clean Cars Regulation?

The main components of the Advanced Clean Cars Regulation include stricter emission standards for vehicles, requirements for zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs) such as electric cars, incentives for manufacturers to produce cleaner vehicles, and programs aimed at increasing consumer awareness and demand for clean cars.

3. Why is the Advanced Clean Cars Regulation important?

The regulation is important because it helps address environmental concerns by reducing pollution from transportation, which is one of the largest contributors to air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. It also promotes technological advancements in clean vehicle technologies and encourages the development of a sustainable transportation system.

4. How does the Advanced Clean Cars Regulation affect consumers?

Consumers are affected by this regulation as it leads to more options for cleaner vehicles in the market, including electric cars and hybrids. The regulation may also lead to increased availability of charging infrastructure for electric vehicles. However, it can also impact vehicle prices due to costs associated with meeting stricter emission standards.