California Air Resources Board

Advanced Clean Cars I

In 2012, CARB adopted regulations to control motor vehicle emissions through the 2025 and subsequent model years, collectively called Advanced Clean Cars. These included the: 

• Low-emission vehicle regulations for smog-causing criteria pollutants and greenhouse gases (LEV III)
• Zero-emission vehicle regulation 

Advanced Clean Cars II

In 2022, CARB adopted the Advanced Clean Cars II regulations to establish the next phase of regulations beginning with the 2026 model year. Advanced Clean Cars II: 

• Increased the stringency of the smog-causing criteria pollutant standards, known as LEV IV 
• Updated the zero-emission vehicle regulation to require that 100% of new passenger vehicles meet zero-emission standards (including plug-in hybrids) by the 2035 model year 
• Established a suite of assurance measures to ensure zero-emission vehicles can provide enduring emission reductions  
• CARB did not amend the LEV III greenhouse gas emission standards during the 2022 Advanced Clean Cars II regulatory process.
• Programs and initiatives created under Advanced Clean Cars II Resolution 22-12:
  • Zero-emission Vehicle Equity Task Force - The Zero-emission Vehicle (ZEV) Equity Task Force (Task Force) brings together leaders in zero-emission transportation such as environmental justice advocates, automakers, state government, and other key organizations to develop strategies to expand communities’ access to zero-emission vehicles and zero-emission mobility.
  • Community Mobility Program Connections Directory - The Community Mobility Directory is a tool to help organizations and automakers find partners interested in collaborating to access these vehicle discounts.
  • Executive Orders for Advanced Clean Cars II Environmental Justice Values - Executive Orders for Approved Community-based Clean Mobility Programs for Advanced Clean Cars II Environmental Justice Values.

A New Phase of Vehicle Standards

In response to illegal federal actions purporting to revoke California’s Clean Air Act waiver for the enforcement of the Advanced Clean Cars II regulations, Governor Gavin Newsom signed Executive Order N-27-25 on June 12, 2025. This order reaffirms the State’s commitment to cut harmful air pollution from transportation and protect public health.

CARB staff has begun a new phase of work that includes light-duty vehicle emissions standards to reduce criteria air pollutant, greenhouse gas, and toxic emissions consistent with State and federal law. Please visit the Drive Forward Vehicle Standards page for more information.

Other States Choose California’s Automotive Emissions Regulations

View our interactive dashboard that provides information on states that have adopted California’s light- and heavy-duty vehicle regulations under Section 177 of the Clean Air Act.

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