California’s Advanced Clean Cars (ACC) program is not a short-term initiative; it’s a long-evolving commitment to reduce vehicle emissions and improve air quality. To understand how long this program has been in effect, it’s essential to look at its phases and continuous development.
The ACC program is a comprehensive package that combines the Low-Emission Vehicle (LEV) criteria and greenhouse gas regulations with the zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) regulation. This multi-faceted approach has been rolled out in stages to progressively tighten emission standards and push for greater adoption of zero-emission vehicles.
Advanced Clean Cars I: The Foundation (2012-2025)
The journey began in 2012 with the adoption of Advanced Clean Cars I (ACC I). This initial phase laid the groundwork by introducing regulations for model years 2015-2025. ACC I included the LEV III standards to reduce smog-forming emissions and greenhouse gases, alongside amendments to the ZEV regulation. This period marked the formal inception of a long-term strategy, setting the stage for a shift towards cleaner vehicles over more than a decade.
Midterm Review: Assessing and Adapting (2017)
Five years into ACC I, in 2017, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) conducted a midterm review. This review was a crucial point to evaluate the program’s effectiveness and make necessary adjustments. The review reaffirmed the appropriateness of the existing greenhouse gas standards for 2022-2025 and supported the continuation of the ZEV requirements to further develop the market. Importantly, it directed staff to start developing rules for 2026 and subsequent model years, indicating a forward-looking approach and the program’s intended longevity.
Advanced Clean Cars II: Accelerating Towards Zero-Emission (2022-2035)
Building on the foundation of ACC I and the insights from the midterm review, Advanced Clean Cars II (ACC II) was adopted in 2022. ACC II represents the next ambitious phase, setting even stricter low-emission and zero-emission vehicle standards for model years 2026-2035. A key goal of ACC II is to ensure that by 2035, all new passenger cars, trucks, and SUVs sold in California will be zero-emission. This regulation significantly extends the timeline of the program and intensifies the commitment to a zero-emission future for light-duty vehicles in the state.
Ongoing Amendments: Adapting to the Future (2023 and Beyond)
The Advanced Clean Cars program is not static. In October 2023, CARB initiated a new effort to consider amendments to ACC II. This includes updates to greenhouse gas emission standards and revisions to the LEV and ZEV regulations. This demonstrates that the program is designed to be flexible and responsive to evolving technologies and environmental goals. The ongoing amendments highlight that the ACC program is not just a program of the past or present, but a continuing and evolving framework designed to drive change well into the future.
In conclusion, the Advanced Clean Cars program, initiated in 2012 with ACC I and expanded with ACC II, is designed as a long-term, evolving program. It’s not about how long the program lasted in the past, but rather how long it is designed to last and continue to drive the transition to cleaner vehicles, with regulations currently in place through 2035 and likely beyond through ongoing amendments and future phases. The program’s enduring nature reflects California’s sustained commitment to air quality and combating climate change through vehicle emission reductions.
