California Agencies Submit Report to Governor, Outline Actions to Accelerate Clean, Affordable Vehicles

(August 19, 2025) California agencies today unveiled their plans to continue and accelerate the state’s transition to clean, affordable vehicles – driving forward cleaner air, healthier communities, new jobs and lower costs for nearly 40 million Californians. 

Six agencies — including the California Air Resources Board (CARB), California Energy Commission (CEC), Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz), California State Transportation Agency (CalSTA), Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA) and California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) — released a report today, in response to Governor Gavin Newsom’s recent executive order, that underscores the state’s commitment to building a clean transportation future and making clean transportation more affordable, reliable, and accessible for all. 

“California today reaffirmed its commitment to building clean, affordable transportation. If enacted, the recommendations laid out in this report will strengthen California’s efforts to reduce harmful pollution from cars and trucks, protect people’s health, save Californians money on fuel and maintenance for their vehicles, and grow jobs in the state,” said Katelyn Roedner Sutter, California State Director for Environmental Defense Fund.  “While the federal government tries to drive the country in reverse, California must move forward to protect clean air, a safe climate and healthier communities for tens of millions of people. This includes reauthorizing the state’s landmark cap-and-trade program to reduce pollution and generate revenue to fund essential clean transportation programs, and expanding regional electricity markets to unlock more clean power for widespread, affordable transportation electrification.” 

The report released today outlines priority recommendations across six different areas —private investment, incentives, infrastructure, fuel pricing, regulations, and procurement.  Among the key recommendations are consumer rebates that will save Californians money, increase access to clean vehicles for low-income consumers and small businesses, and counteract the federal government’s reckless repeal of consumer clean vehicle tax credits.   

The report also recommends accelerating the buildout of charging infrastructure along major corridors, adopting new regulations to advance EV charging reliability, and advancing vehicle-grid integration (VGI) technology to leverage EVs as a source of grid reliability and emergency power.  Many of these actions can be advanced immediately, and along with new emissions standards and other regulatory programs, will provide vital protections for Californians.  

Tailpipe emissions are the single largest source of pollution in California. They cause soot and smog that are dangerous, and sometimes deadly, and they fuel the fires, heat waves, floods and rising insurance costs that are made worse by climate change. 

California has long been at the forefront of transportation innovation, and 17 states — representing 40% of the U.S. car market — have adopted California’s clean transportation programs. California is also the world’s fourth-largest economy, and  recent analysis shows how clean solutions will be continue to be an important driver of job growth in the state  —as well as illustrating how protecting public health goes hand-in-hand with economic growth.