1. energy
FactS
Driving Emissions to Zero: A Strong California
Zero Emissions Vehicle Program Can Deliver the
le Future of Electric Cars
S Battery, fuel cell, and plug-in hybrid electric cars are a key part of Californiaâs efforts to protect public health,
improve our nationâs energy security, and reach our long-term carbon reduction goals. California now has
an opportunity to achieve these goals as the California Air Resources Board (ARB) works to set strong Zero
Emissions Vehicle (ZEV) requirements through 2025. Updating these standards will drive advanced vehicle
technologies not only in California, but around the nation.
caliFornia can lead the electric-drive California can help advance the successful commercial-
ization of electric-drive vehicles by sending a strong signal to
Market Forward
automakers to continue investing in electric-drive technol-
To avoid the worst consequences of global warming, cars in ogy. To build a future where electric-drive cars are as readily
California and the United States must produce 80 percent to available as airbags and power steering, the California ARB
90 percent less global warming pollution than they do today.1 must strengthen the ZEV standard beyond what is currently
Nearly all stakeholders, including government agencies, being proposed to help put at least 1.8 million new electric-
energy and climate experts, and even automakers, agree drive cars on the road in California between 2018 and 2025.
that large-scale commercialization of electric-drive vehicles Together with the ten other states that have adopted Califor-
is necessary to achieve long-term carbon and oil reduction niaâs ZEV standards, this could result in at least 5 percent of
goals. While electric-drive cars alone cannot achieve this the U.S. market being electric-drive by 2025. By requiring half
goal, analysis by ARB, automakers, the International Energy or more of these vehicles to run exclusively on electricity or
Agency, Natural Resources Defense Council, and the Union hydrogen, California will ensure that investments continue
of Concerned Scientists, all show that it will be critical for a to be made in the technology solutions necessary to reach
large majority of vehicles to have significant electric-drive climate and energy goals.
capability by 2040.2 Given past rates of automotive technology progress,
electric cars need to reach a national mass market level of
how the Zev Program can Be Strengthened: about 5 percent of new car sales in 2025 at the very latest to
cumulative electric-drive Sales, 2018-2025 have a chance of staying on track.3 Californiaâs annual sales,
California 1.8 million as well as in other ZEV states, and their roles in the hybrid
National At least 5 million
vehicle market as early adopters, will equal nearly 18 percent
of new vehicle market share by 2025, with cumulative sales of
new electric-drive Share in 2025
1.8 million electric cars in California, and 5 million nationally
California 18% between 2018 and 2025.
National At least 5%
All-Electric 50% of ZEV program
For more Simon Mui
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