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Zero-Emission Vehicle Program

To meet California’s health-based air quality standards and greenhouse gas emission reduction goals, the cars Californians drive and the fuel they use must get as close as possible to zero emission. The Zero-Emission Vehicle (ZEV) program is part of CARB’s Advanced Clean Cars package of coordinated standards that controls smog-causing pollutants and greenhouse gas emissions of passenger vehicles in California.

Under Section 177 of the Clean Air Act, other states may adopt California’s Advanced Clean Cars standards, including one or both of its LEV standards and ZEV regulation, but they may not develop independent standards.

Sixteen states have adopted the Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) Program: California, Colorado, Connecticut, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, and Washington. These states have adopted both the California ZEV program and the Low Emission Vehicle (LEV) standards. 

Here’s a breakdown of the states and their timeline for ZEV mandates:
  • Model Year 2026 or Calendar Year 2025: California, Oregon, Washington, New York, Massachusetts, and Vermont. 
  • Model Year 2027: Colorado, New Jersey, Delaware, Rhode Island, New Mexico, and Maryland. 

Delaware, Pennsylvania, and the District of Columbia are following California’s LEV standards but have not adopted the ZEV program. Together, all 17 of these states and the District of Columbia are referred to as “Section 177 states.”

 

For full details of California’s Zero-Emission Vehicle Program and The Road to Zero Emissions. click below

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