California has achieved a significant milestone in its efforts to reduce emissions from medium- and heavy-duty trucks, with new data showing that sales of zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs) in this category doubled in 2023 compared to the previous year. According to a report released by the state, ZEVs now represent 1 out of every 6 new vehicles sold for services including last-mile delivery, freight transportation, and school buses.
In 2023, 18,473 medium- and heavy-duty ZEVs were sold in California, exceeding the state’s Advanced Clean Trucks (ACT) goal two years ahead of schedule and selling five times the required amount. Since 2021, a total of 26,921 medium- and heavy-duty ZEVs have been sold in the state.
The data, while preliminary, indicates a strong momentum for zero-emission vehicles in California, especially with rules set to phase in later this year requiring the gradual deployment of clean vehicle technology for fleets.
Under the Advanced Clean Trucks regulation, manufacturers of medium- and heavy-duty vehicles are required to phase in the sale of zero-emission options in California as an increasing percentage of sales. Additionally, the Advanced Clean Fleets regulation mandates that all medium- and heavy-duty vehicles sold into California fleets be zero-emissions beginning in 2036, with an expected introduction of 1,690,000 ZEVs into California fleets by 2050.
