CA Assembly Passes Historic, Bipartisan Bill - Marking Nation’s First Statewide EV “Superuser” Strategy

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Thursday, May 23, 2024

CA Assembly Passes Historic, Bipartisan Bill - Marking Nation’s First Statewide EV “Superuser” Strategy

AB2401 would bolster the state’s climate strategy by cutting emissions faster & saving Californians money

Sacramento, CA — Today, the California Assembly passed a first-in-the-nation bill that would update the state’s Clean Cars 4 All program to shift the state's existing EV incentives and steer them to lower-income, high-mileage drivers with older, high-polluting vehicles, especially in disadvantaged communities. The vote passed with bipartisan support.

Assemblymember Phil Ting’s AB2401 would help reduce greenhouse gas emissions faster, more strategically, and equitably. Coltura's recent report found that just 9% of all private light-duty drivers consume a third of the state's gasoline. Our research shows that on average, these gasoline Superusers would save $589 a month on fuel alone by switching to an EV. Similarly, a Greenlining Institute and Union of Concerned Scientists analysis shows that old (pre-2004) cars emit 3x more smog-causing pollution than all other cars combined. This bill helps the state target these drivers and would set a nation-leading example for other states to follow.

The bill is cosponsored by the Coalition for Clean Air, Coltura, Greenlining Institute, Union of Concerned Scientists, and Valley Clean Air Now, and endorsed by a broad coalition of supporting organizations here.

In response to passage of the bill in the assembly, Co-Executive Director of Coltura, Janelle London, released the following statement:

“Assemblymember Ting’s bill would help make California’s Clean Cars 4 All program more equitable, while cutting climate and air pollution faster.

By helping the most gasoline-burdened households switch to an EV, we can save them hundreds of dollars on total monthly costs.

With this bill, California can make significant strides towards meeting its climate commitments while ensuring that the benefits of these programs lift up communities most in need and focus budget dollars on an effective climate strategy. We look forward to helping push this bipartisan, broadly supported effort over the finish line.”

About Coltura:

Founded in 2014, Coltura is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit with a mission to improve climate, health, and equity by accelerating the switch from gasoline to cleaner alternatives. Our vision is a gasoline-free America by 2040 or sooner. We work to cut gasoline use quickly, efficiently and equitably by:

Developing policies and data to open new pathways for moving beyond gasoline;
Prioritizing policies that ease the financial burden on lower-income families who use the most gasoline;
Leading coalitions and arming leaders and advocates with policy and data tools to advance gasoline reduction policies; and
Challenging the acceptability of gasoline through social media, art, music, and other cultural means.

Learn more at www.coltura.org.