SACRAMENTO – The California State Assembly approved Assembly Bill (AB) 739, authored by Assemblymember Ed Chau (D-Monterey Park), which will require at least 15% of heavy-duty vehicles purchased by State agencies to be zero-emission vehicles (ZEV) by 2025 and at least 30% of those vehicles to be ZEV by 2030.  Specifically, this bill establishes phased-in targets for incorporating more ZEVs into the State's heavy duty fleet.

“AB 739 will help California meet its climate change and greenhouse gas emission reduction goals by requiring the State to procure zero-emission vehicles for its fleet of large trucks and buses,” said Assemblymember Chau.  “These larger vehicles disproportionately produce higher levels of pollution, so replacing them with zero-emission vehicles will have a greater impact on protecting our environment.”

In 2012, Governor Brown issued Executive Order B-16-2012, which called for 1.5 million ZEVs to be on the road in California by 2025, as a means of helping the State reach its greenhouse gas emission reduction goals.  AB 739 builds upon the Executive Order by setting a requirement for the State’s heavy-duty vehicle fleet to be comprised of more ZEVs. This will help create jobs and a market that fosters heavy-duty ZEV development, provide for more fuel efficient vehicles, and help the State meet its greenhouse gas emission reduction goals.

AB 739 passed with 51 votes.

Assemblymember Ed Chau represents the 49th Assembly District, comprised of the communities of Alhambra, Arcadia, El Monte, Monterey Park, Rosemead, San Gabriel, San Marino, Temple City and portions of Montebello, and South El Monte.