Summary
Details
- California
ACC II is a binding California regulation requiring all new light-duty vehicle sales to be zero-emission by 2035.
Criteria:
Applies to vehicle manufacturers selling new light-duty vehicles in California, who must meet annual ZEV percentage requirements from 2026 to 2035.
Applies to battery-electric vehicles, fuel-cell electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids (within limited caps).
Also applies indirectly to dealers, utilities and infrastructure providers through compliance and reporting structures.
Exemptions and Flexibility:
The mandate applies only to new vehicles; used vehicle sales remain unrestricted (so existing combustion vehicles can continue operating and be resold).
Plug-in hybrids are allowed but subject to percentage caps determined by CARB.
Niche or very low-volume manufacturers may qualify for limited exemptions depending on federal waiver rules.
Compliance flexibility exists through credit trading, early-action credits and certain transitional allowances.
Implementation depends on continued EPA approval under Clean Air Act waiver authority.
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What’s Required
Manufacturers must:
Meet annual ZEV percentage targets
Maintain compliance documentation and reporting
Ensure ZEVs meet durability, battery, range, and performance standards
Provide extended warranty provisions
Participate in the CARB compliance credit system
Important Deadlines
2026: Start of ZEV sales quotas
2030: ~68% compliance threshold
2035: 100 percent ZEV mandate
Current Status
ACC II is fully approved by CARB and awaiting/maintaining EPA waivers under the U.S. Clean Air Act. Several states have already adopted the regulations under Section 177 opt-in rules.
Penalties for Non-Compliance
Administrative penalties imposed by CARB
Loss or withdrawal of compliance credits
Enforcement actions for failure to meet quotas
Potential federal implications if Clean Air Act waivers are violated
Examples of Known Violations
As ACC II is in the pre-implementation phase for the ZEV targets (starting 2026), no violations exist yet. Prior ZEV program enforcement provides precedent for penalties if manufacturers fail to meet targets.
Conclusions
California’s ACC II regulation is one of the most influential vehicle-emission laws worldwide. By requiring 100 percent ZEV sales by 2035, it accelerates electrification, cleans up air pollution, and reshapes the automotive industry across the U.S.
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