Sacramento, Calif (August 19, 2025)—In response to escalating federal attacks on California’s health protective standards, Governor Gavin Newsom today released a suite of recommendations and a funding plan to advance clean transportation and protect public health.
Alongside a proposal for a state tax rebate for EV purchases, Governor Newsom proposed policies aimed at enhancing consumer dependability, including a plan to increase charger infrastructure deployment with reliability metrics, and implement standards strengthening EV battery warranty.
The recommendations further support clean vehicle adoption with proposals that explore a freight-centered statewide indirect source rule, increased state ZEV purchasing beyond existing requirements, as well as utilizing the existing California Climate Credit to reduce charging costs for drivers.
These actions build upon the governor’s June executive order affirming the state’s ability to reduce climate-warming emissions, improve air quality and protect residents from pollution.
The Trump administration has attacked progress on vehicle electrification and clean air safeguards at the federal level while also hindering states in making gains. For example, the administration has proposed eliminating federal greenhouse gas standards for cars and trucks as well as the federal government’s ability to regulate global warming emissions.
Below is a statement by Daniel Barad, senior policy manager for Western States at the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS):
“Governor Newsom reaffirmed today that California will continue to lead in life-saving clean transportation policies despite the Trump administration’s best efforts to make our air dirtier.
“The California Legislature and state agencies must move quickly to implement the governor’s recommendations – including adoption of an Indirect Source Rule - to ensure the essential and inevitable transition to zero-emission transportation moves forward without further delay.
“Continued incentives for clean vehicles are especially critical as the U.S. Congress and President Trump gutted EV tax credits last month and considering the impending refinery closures. It is crucial that the California legislature ensure there is funding available for clean vehicle incentives including by rapidly reauthorizing programs including California’s landmark Cape and Trade program and using creative tactics including placing a fee on the sale of non-California gasoline.
“As the president continues to attack people’s right to breathe clean air, states will need to use every tool at their disposal to protect their residents. We support efforts by the governor and legislature to protect California communities from President Trump’s toxic and illegal actions.”