News

Sep 21, 2026

What they are saying: Strong support for California's new laws to expand EV access, consumer choice, and cut dependence on oil

SACRAMENTO — California leaders, consumer advocates, clean-air organizations, and electric-transportation stakeholders are praising Governor Gavin Newsom's signing of a package of legislation that will accelerate California's transition to affordable, reliable clean transportation — streamlining the deployment of electric-vehicle chargers, expanding consumer choice, and helping Californians access the clean cars and trucks that free families and businesses from dependence on oil.

The Governor signed SB 969 (Reyes), SB 1283 (Ashby), AB 1820 (Schiavo), SB 1213 (Reyes), SB 1267 (Allen), and SB 615 (Allen). Together, the new laws cut red tape to expedite charger deployment, support charging access where Californians live, strengthen transparency of incentives for zero-emission trucks, and help more Californians confidently choose electric transportation.

Legislative leaders

• Senate Majority Leader Angelique Ashby, author of SB 1283: "California continues to lead the nation in advancing clean energy and transportation technology. Today, the Governor signed SB 1283 into law in furtherance of California's commitment to renewable energies and the highest of environmental standards. This bill allows critical electric vehicle infrastructure to reach even the most rural of locations throughout the great golden state by streamlining and prioritizing renewable energy storage components for charging stations, like solar canopies, and on-site battery storage. Thank you to the Governor for his continued commitment to protecting our environment and leading the effort to support renewable energy in California."
• Senator Eloise Gómez Reyes, author of SB 969 and SB 1213: "We have to make clean transportation pricing and infrastructure work well in order for people and businesses to buy into our vision for clean communities," said Senator Eloise Gómez Reyes (D-Colton). "SB 969 and SB 1213 bring greater transparency and accountability to ensure drivers get what they pay for at the charger, businesses have greater clarity about clean truck pricing, and taxpayers receive the highest value and impact possible for their investments. These bills provide practical steps that will help California make the most of our public investments, reduce barriers to adoption, and build the reliable, affordable clean transportation system our communities deserve. I am grateful to Governor Newsom for signing both bills into law."
• Assemblymember Pilar Schiavo, author of AB 1820: "As gas prices surge and electric vehicles need to be an even more accessible alternative, the government should not be adding unnecessary costs to building out our charger network. The Electric Vehicle Charger Affordability Act (AB 1820) makes sure unnecessary fees aren't added to the cost of charger permits for apartment buildings where we need affordable options the most, so more people benefit from the savings an EV can provide."
• Senator Ben Allen, author of SB 1267 and SB 615: "California's expanding EV market requires us to be more proactive to support the infrastructure systems that will be most impacted. Setting this framework today will better enable us to handle the growth of an industry critical to our climate ambitions. I appreciate the Governor's support of these important policies that align with our collective goals."

Clean transportation leaders

• Matthew Chen, External Affairs Manager, North America, ABB E-mobility Inc. and Electric Vehicle Charging Association Chair:" Meeting California's clean transportation goals means building more than 400 new chargers a day, every day, through 2030. In a difficult budget year, as federal support retreats, the Governor and the Legislature delivered a package of bills that address permitting delays and cut unnecessary costs to accelerate EV charger build-out. The Electric Vehicle Charging Association (EVCA) appreciates this leadership and the willingness to advance practical solutions that do not depend on new spending. From charging infrastructure to the vehicles themselves, California is backing every part of the clean transportation transition, and industry is ready to deliver the affordable, reliable charging Californians expect."
• Laura Renger, Executive Director, California Electric Transportation Coalition: "Thank you, Governor Newsom, for signing SB 1213 and SB 1283 today. These bills are good news for California's electric-transportation future, bringing greater transparency to zero-emission incentives for medium- and heavy-duty vehicles while making it easier to build the charging infrastructure Californians need. CalETC applauds the Governor and bill authors for clearing unnecessary barriers and keeping California moving forward."
• Bill Mcgavern, Policy Director, Coalition for Clean Air: "Electrifying transportation is an essential tool for cleaning up California's air, fighting catastrophic climate change, and creating quality jobs. These new laws will help build the infrastructure to enable all Californians — including residents of multi-family housing — to benefit from clean electric mobility. In addition, price transparency requirements will help build a more affordable market for the zero-emission trucks we need to reduce the toxic diesel exhaust poisoning our communities."
• Guillermo Ortiz, Senior Clean Vehicle Advocate, Natural Resources Defense Council: "The transition to clean vehicles is a smart business move, not a financial burden. By bringing transparency to the marketplace and enhancing our voucher programs, this bipartisan legislation will drive down costs, protect our small businesses from fuel price volatility, expedite EV charging and ensure California remains a leader in both environmental and economic innovation."
• Daniel Barrad, Western States Associate Director, Union of Concerned Scientists: "As the Trump administration rolls back life-saving policies and raises costs, California's progress on zero emission transportation is more important than ever. We applaud the legislature and governor for enacting laws that will advance clean, affordable and sustainable transportation. From increasing charging access to laying the groundwork for battery recycling, these laws show the world that a safe, clean and reliable transportation future is possible."
• Gracyna Mohabir, Sr. Regulatory Advocate, California Environmental Voters: "Transportation is California's largest source of pollution and a major contributor to the state's poor air quality. At a time when the federal government is systematically dismantling our clean air and health protections, this is an important step toward building a cleaner freight future. "We need practical solutions that make it easier to choose zero-emissions vehicles and create a freight system that doesn't come at the expense of Californians' health and clean air, and SB 1213 is exactly that."
• Jakob Evans, Senior Policy Strategist, Sierra Club California: "Signing this package of bills shows that California is stepping up to lead on clean air at a time when the federal government has undermined the electric vehicle market and attacked our state's regulatory autonomy. Bills like SB 1213 will ensure that California is able to take more effective action to accelerate deployment of zero-emission trucks and address our largest sector of pollution. Sierra Club California will continue to work closely with state leaders to fight for California's air quality and public health."

California's clean transportation leadership

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The legislation signed today builds on the Governor's MyFirstEV program, which is helping first-time zero-emission vehicle buyers access immediate savings on their first electric vehicle purchase. Through MyFirstEV, eligible Californians can receive an instant rebate of up to $3,500 toward a qualifying new zero-emission vehicle or up to $1,750 toward a qualifying used vehicle.

California's $600 million investment in an affordable clean-vehicle future includes programs that help income-qualified residents replace older, higher-polluting cars; support fleets in purchasing cleaner trucks and buses; and replace high-polluting engines and equipment.

The Golden State has more than 216,445 public and shared charging plugs statewide, including more than 20,000 DC fast-charging ports. Chargers are being installed at places Californians already go, including workplaces, multifamily housing, retail centers, park-and-ride lots, medical offices, and travel corridors.

The California Energy Commission allocated $98.5 million in light-duty ZEV infrastructure funding for fiscal year 2025-26, emphasizing Level 1 and Level 2 chargers in locations where cars are parked for longer periods, including homes and multifamily residences.

California is one of the top states for EV buyers and drivers. California has surpassed its original goal of 1.5 million zero-emission vehicle sales by 2025, reaching more than 2.7 million cumulative ZEV sales. In the second quarter of 2026, Californians purchased 86,857 new ZEVs, representing 19.1% of all new vehicle sales in the state.

Governor Newsom's Build More, Faster — For All infrastructure agenda has driven historic investments in transportation that will benefit all Californians for decades to come. More than 29,000 California infrastructure projects are tracked at build.ca.gov.

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