The California Air Resources Board voted to approve a new “Clean Miles Standard” mandate on Thursday that will make ridesharing companies be comprised of at least 90% electric vehicles by 2030–this will impact companies like Uber and Lyft.
The new mandate for electric vehicles would increase by percentage each year for rideshare companies:
- 2023 – 2%
- 2024 – 4%
- 2025 – 13%
- 2026 – 30%
- 2027 – 50%
- 2028 – 65%
- 2029 – 80%
- 2030 – 90%
Note – Proposed Clean Miles Standard Regulation, click here.
Official Press Release
SACRAMENTO – In accordance with the implementation of SB 1014 of 2018, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) today adopted a regulation requiring that rideshare companies begin electrification of their California fleets starting in 2023 – another step towards meeting the state’s 2030 climate goal of reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions 40 percent below 1990 levels, achieving statewide carbon neutrality by 2045, aligning with Governor Newsom Zero Emission Vehicle Executive Order (N-79-20) and fulfilling the state’s air quality goals.
The Clean Miles Standard, as implemented by SB 1014, requires that rideshare companies operating in California meet annual GHG and electrification targets, which will align ridesharing companies with other corporate fleet requirements. By 2030, the regulation would require that rideshare companies achieve a level of zero greenhouse gas emissions and to ensure 90 percent of their vehicle miles are fully electric.
“This move is yet another piece of the comprehensive program California has developed to protect public health from harmful emissions,” said CARB Chair Liane M. Randolph. “The transportation sector is responsible for nearly half of California’s greenhouse gas emissions, the vast majority of which come from light-duty vehicles. This action will help provide certainty to the state’s climate efforts and improve air quality in our most disadvantaged communities.”
The GHG target can be met in several ways, including by increasing electric miles beyond the 90 percent electric miles target, reducing deadhead miles (miles driven without a passenger), or increasing the number of passengers per trip (pooling). Rideshare companies can also earn optional GHG credits by investing in sidewalk and bike lane infrastructure that supports active transportation and connecting to transit through integrated trip booking apps.
This regulation aligns with commitments that ridesharing companies like Uber and Lyft have made to transition to zero-emission vehicles by 2030, as well as state and federal incentive programs available to support the transition to zero-emission vehicles. Governor Newsom’s May revision of the state budget provides hundreds of millions of additional dollars for the state programs.
Drivers who lease or buy an EV may apply for the full range of California clean car incentives rebates such as the Clean Vehicle Rebate Project, the Clean Cars 4 All program and the Clean Fuels Reward, as well as financial incentives from their local utilities and a federal tax credit.
Background
The transportation sector accounts for almost 50 percent of GHG emissions in California and is responsible for the majority of the state’s air pollution.
Though rideshare vehicles are a relatively small portion of California’s vehicle fleet, they often travel many miles beyond the average of other vehicles, so electrifying them can provide significant environmental benefits.
The Clean Miles Standard aligns with Governor Newsom’s Executive Order ending sales of internal combustion passenger vehicles by 2035. SB 1014 (2018) – the Clean Miles Standard and Incentive Program – requires CARB and the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) to develop and implement new requirements for rideshare companies to quickly curb their GHG emissions as new mobility options rapidly become available.
The Clean Miles Standard also aligns with the Advanced Clean Cars II program now under development to set more stringent vehicle emissions reduction and electrification requirements for new passenger vehicles after 2025.
Food and goods delivery services are not included in the Clean Miles Standard. Small ridesharing companies with less than five million statewide annual vehicle miles traveled are exempt from compliance with GHG and electrification targets, but not exempt from data reporting requirements.
CARB’s mission is to promote and protect public health, welfare, and ecological resources through effective reduction of air pollutants while recognizing and considering effects on the economy. CARB is the lead agency for climate change programs and oversees all air pollution control efforts in California to attain and maintain health-based air quality standards.
