California's Zero Emission Vehicle Mandate Is Driving Us to the Brink.

CARB: It's time to Pause and Calibrate.

Coalition Partners

The Reality of

California’s EV Mandates

California has made tremendous strides in clean transportation, leading the way with over 2 million EVs sold and 22% of new car sales now electric. But now, a state regulation is pushing unrealistic mandates—requiring automakers to accelerate the transition to zero emission vehicles, whether the market, infrastructure, and consumers are ready or not.

The Mandate

Starting this year, California’s ACC 2 regulation will require 35% of all new cars sold to be zero emission. That percentage increases each year until new gas-powered car sales are completely banned in 2035.

The Challenge

EV demand hasn’t just slowed—it’s flatlined.

In 2024, zero-emission vehicle sales grew by just 0.3%—a sharp decline from significant annual growth seen over previous years.

Without adjustments to the current plan, California communities and businesses face significant uncertainty and hardship.

So what’s at Stake?

Mandates moving faster than consumers will drive up prices, shrink choices, and leave millions without reliable transportation. Fewer new car sales mean billions in lost tax revenue for emergency services, schools, and roads. And ironically, this rush could backfire—keeping older, higher-emission cars on the road even longer.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is CALIBRATE?

CALIBRATE is a coalition of businesses, consumer advocates, and industry leaders calling for a practical, balanced approach to California’s zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) mandate. The coalition supports California’s clean transportation leadership but believes the transition must align with consumer demand, infrastructure readiness, and market realities—not arbitrary government deadlines.
What is California’s zero emission vehicle mandate?

California’s Advanced Clean Cars II (ACC 2) regulation requires 35% of all new car sales to be zero emission by 2026, increasing annually until gas-powered car sales are fully banned by 2035.
Why is this a problem?

EV demand has stalled, and 95% of manufacturers won’t meet the 35% zero emission vehicle sales mandate by 2026. Automakers that fall short face $20,000 fines per noncompliant vehicle, forcing them to cut shipments to California or stop sending cars here altogether. With fewer cars on the market, prices will rise, choices will shrink, and consumers will either buy out of state or hold onto their older, less efficient vehicles. The result? A massive loss in tax revenue, draining funding from essential public services.
How will this impact tax revenue and public services?

New car sales generate over $10 billion annually in tax revenue that funds schools, emergency services, roads, and public safety. If fewer new cars are sold in California, this lost revenue will devastate communities—draining funding from first responders, classrooms, and critical infrastructure.
How will this affect car prices?

To avoid hefty fines, manufacturers will scale back shipments, reducing competition and driving up prices for both EVs and gas-powered cars.
What about charging infrastructure?

California needs 2.1 million public chargers by 2035 but currently has only 152,000. The rollout isn’t keeping pace, leaving millions without reliable charging options, especially renters and those in multi-unit housing.
Doesn’t this help the environment?

Ironically, the plan could backfire—fewer new car options mean more consumers will hold onto older, less efficient vehicles, driving up emissions instead of reducing them. A rushed transition risks undermining the mandate’s own climate goals.
What’s the solution?

California should adjust the mandate timeline to align with consumer demand, infrastructure readiness, and market realities—ensuring a balanced transition that protects essential public services, affordability, choice, and the environment.