Taylor Cusimano
Contributing Writer
The push for zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs) is more than an environmental initiative: it is a critical step toward improving public health and combating the urgent climate crisis, which demands immediate and decisive action.
In 2020, California set an unprecedented mandate that all new vehicles sold in the state be electric by 2035. As one of the leading states in adopting ZEVs, where one in 21 vehicles already qualifies, California is not only demonstrating what a sustainable transition to clean transportation can look like but also inspiring others to follow suit. Maintaining this progress is essential as the state continues to pave the way for others to follow.
Critics may argue that transitioning to zero-emission vehicles is too expensive or unnecessary; however, the benefits far outweigh the challenges. This shift is about reducing greenhouse gas emissions and addressing urgent public health concerns caused by pollution. Following the executive order to phase out gas-powered vehicles, Governor Gavin Newsom emphasized, “We can address this climate crisis if we take the substantial and decisive actions necessary to reduce pollution.”
For many California families, day-to-day concerns, such as food, housing, and clothing, take precedence. When purchasing a car, worries about range limitations, charging infrastructure, and cost often deter Californians from considering electric vehicles. As one who plans to buy a car within the next decade, I share these concerns and hesitate to prioritize a ZEV.
Fortunately, programs like the Clean Vehicle Rebate Project (CVRP) offer practical solutions. CVRP provides rebates of up to $7,500 for purchasing or leasing a new electric or plug-in hybrid vehicle (with additional support available for low-income households). Incentives such as HOV lane access, federal tax credits, and low-interest financing programs further ease the transition for consumers. Knowing that these resources exist offers reassurance as we face the escalating impacts of climate change.
However, progress hasn’t come without challenges. Donald Trump has aggressively worked to reverse policies supporting the EV market, including an attempt to eliminate the $7,500 federal tax credit and revoke California’s authority to set its own vehicle emissions standards. These moves threaten to undermine the state’s leadership in addressing pollution and climate change. It is alarming to see governmental policies proposed that threaten to dismantle initiatives to improve public health in California, one of the world’s most biologically diverse and populous regions.
For California to successfully meet its 2035 goal, significant investments in expanding the production of ZEVs and installing charging infrastructure are crucial. While the sale of new gas-powered vehicles will be prohibited, existing ones will remain on the roads, facilitating a gradual transition. Achieving California’s goal of 100 percent electric vehicle (EV) sales by 2035 requires collaboration among automakers, government officials, and residents. California’s EV sales target depends on a unified effort from all contributors for a sustainable transportation future as each plays a crucial role in adopting this idea.
The stakes could not be higher: as droughts worsen and heat waves intensify, implementing ZEVs will play a key role in combating climate-related issues. Transportation is the most significant contributor to California’s carbon emissions, accounting for over 50 percent of the state’s carbon pollution, 80 percent of smog-forming emissions, and 95 percent of toxic diesel particulates. Transitioning to clean vehicles is not only an environmental obligation but a matter of life and health for millions of Californians.
Rather than viewing ZEVs as a burden, we must see them as an opportunity to improve our living conditions, save lives, and lead the fight against climate change. California has the unique ability and responsibility to prioritize its people’s wellbeing through bold investments in clean transportation.
As a California native, I am deeply committed to protecting the health of my family, friends, and environment. Owning a zero-emission vehicle is a proven way to reduce the impacts of climate change while fostering healthier communities. The time to act is now. Californians must embrace this transition, or we risk facing even greater consequences in the years ahead.