California adopts ZEV mandates for state heavy-duty vehicle fleets

11 October 2017

California Governor Jerry Brown signed Assembly Bill (AB) 739, which requires at least 15% of vehicles with a GVWR of over 19,000 lbs that are newly purchased by the California Department of General Services and other state agencies to be Zero Emission Vehicles (ZEV) beginning in 2025, and at least 30% of those vehicles to be ZEV beginning in 2030.

“With the Federal Government rolling back environmental protections and clean air regulations, it is more important than ever for California to step-up and take a leading role in the fight against climate change,” said Assemblymember Ed Chau (D-Monterey Park) who authored AB 739.

The ZEV requirements do not apply to vehicles that have “special performance requirements necessary for the protection of public safety”.

If, on or after December 31, 2026, the Department of General Services finds that it cannot meet the ZEV mandate, it should conduct—in consultation with the California Air Resources Board (ARB)—a technological assessment of zero-emission technology for heavy-duty vehicles and develop a plan to address the issues preventing state fleets from meeting the ZEV requirements.

Source: Assemblymember Ed Chau