California Air Resources Board

Building on the foundation established through ZEV Forward, and guided by the directives in the Health and Safety Code and direction in Executive Order N-27-25, the Drive Forward initiative continues California’s commitment to meeting both state and national air quality standards, achieving climate and clean air goals, and protecting public health through strong vehicle standards.

Drive Forward will advance this work by supporting the development of light-, medium- and heavy-duty vehicle regulations, incentive programs, outreach and education, and complementary programs and policies that enable clean vehicle deployment. This effort will build on existing tools and resources essential to accelerating the advancement of clean technologies.

Background

Throughout 2025, multiple federal actions have challenged California’s environmental policies and clean air efforts. Recent illegal and unconstitutional actions taken by the current federal administration directly target CARB’s authority to enforce three of its most significant regulatory programs for protecting public health. These actions have also created market uncertainty, undermining confidence in clean technologies and hindering affordability and access.

On June 12, 2025, the Governor signed Executive Order N-27-25, reaffirming California’s commitment to deploy zero-emission vehicle technologies to improve air quality, especially in communities disproportionately impacted by pollution. The Executive Order also directs the state to do the following:

• Update our purchasing requirements to prioritize manufacturers that are aligned with the State’s emissions targets.
• Explore additional actions to advance zero-emission vehicle adoption—such as consumer protection strategies, infrastructure planning, voluntary efforts, and local partnerships.  Recommendations can be found in the August 2025 Report to Governor.
• Directs the California Air Resources Board to develop new regulations - consistent with State and federal law - that reduce emissions of greenhouse gases, criteria pollutants, and toxics.