According to Energy Innovation: Policy and Technology, 17 states in the US, representing nearly 38% of the US car market, are contemplating or have already adopted California’s Advanced Clean Cars II (ACC II) rule. This policy could potentially accelerate electric vehicle (EV) deployment, provide significant consumer savings, and cut greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. By modeling the effects of accelerated EV adoption using their open-source Energy Policy Simulator model, Energy Innovation found that if all 17 states adopt ACC II, over 75% of all cars on US roads could be EVs by 2050. In addition to reducing GHG emissions, adopting ACC II could also save households over $600 per year and protect public health. However, these benefits are not guaranteed if states fail to act or renege on earlier commitments to adopt ACC II.
California has the authority to set stronger vehicle pollution standards than those set by the US Environmental Protection Agency, and other states can adopt California’s standards under Section 177 of the Clean Air Act. California’s Advanced Clean Cars II (ACC II) rule sets a requirement for sales of zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs) that gradually increases up to 100% by 2035. This policy is expected to result in nearly 100% EV sales in any state that adopts it, due to the lower cost of EVs compared to other ZEV technologies such as plug-in hybrids and fuel cell vehicles. California has the authority to set these stronger vehicle pollution standards under Section 177 of the Clean Air Act, and other states can adopt California’s standards.