The initiative, first announced in 2020, requires that at least 80% of new cars sold in California be fully electric by 2035, with the remaining 20% designated as plug-in hybrid models. This plan falls under the California Clean Air Act, which has long empowered the state to implement stricter environmental standards than federal regulations.

“Clean cars are here to stay,” declared California Governor Gavin Newsom. His statement also served as a rebuke to President-elect Donald Trump, who has vowed to reverse these approvals and roll back stricter emissions standards once he takes office.

The EPA’s approval, one of President Joe Biden’s administration’s final acts, is a critical milestone in the broader push for sustainable transportation. Newsom highlighted California’s role in driving innovation in the automotive industry, stating, “California will continue fostering new innovations in the market,” despite opposition from the oil industry and political critics.

Beyond the electric vehicle mandate, the EPA also approved California’s “Omnibus” low-NOx regulation, which targets reductions in nitrogen oxide emissions from heavy-duty vehicles and off-road engines. Several additional environmental waivers for California remain under consideration.

This decision positions California as a trailblazer in the transition to sustainable energy, influencing policies across the U.S. and setting a precedent for the adoption of electric vehicles on a large scale.