CALIFORNIA’S NEW CLEAN CARS RULE IS A GIANT STEP TOWARD A GASOLINE-FREE FUTURE

Scientists have issued a clear warning: To avoid the worst impacts of climate change, we must cut carbon emissions 50% by 2030, and 100% by 2050. In many states, gasoline-powered cars, light duty trucks, and SUVs are the biggest sources of carbon pollution driving the climate crisis.

In a critical step toward meeting vehicle emissions reduction goals, today, California adopted the Advanced Clean Cars program (ACC II), a common-sense approach to cutting climate and air pollution by requiring that all new cars sold in 2035 and beyond are zero-emission vehicles. It sets enforceable standards for the rate at which automakers must convert their offerings to electric and provides certainty for other EV market players concerning the timing of electrification.

Coltura has been at the forefront of policies aimed at phasing out our dependence on gasoline. In 2017, Coltura became the first organization to propose a gas car phaseout in the U.S. in an op-ed published in the San Francisco Chronicle. In early 2018, Coltura led a coalition in support of California’s first-ever gasoline phaseout bill, AB1745, introduced by Assemblymember Phil Ting. Just this year, Coltura led advocacy for Clean Cars 2030, a bill passed in the Washington State Legislature setting a 2030 target for all new light duty vehicles sold in the state to be electric, and importantly, a requirement for an integrated and aligned government approach to meeting the target.

Clean Cars 2030 and ACC II are complementary policies which should be pursued together. In order to meet the ambitious and timely goal of weaning cars off of gasoline, we need states to aim high and put major resources into planning for the transition. lClean Cars 2030 has a track record of generating strong public support and will increase the emissions reductions ACC II can achieve. A strong Clean Cars 2030 campaign will provide momentum for states to enact ACC II and backstop ACC II in the event of political or legal setbacks. It is the last, best chance to achieve 100% electrification of all new vehicles by 2030.

For further information, please read our memorandum: “How Clean Cars 2030 Supports ACC II.”

About Coltura

Coltura is working to improve climate, health, and equity by accelerating the transition from gasoline and diesel to cleaner alternatives. It focuses on changing gasoline supply, gasoline demand, and gasoline culture through innovative legal and policy pathways, media, and art. Learn more at www.coltura.org.

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