California Air Resources Board

Reducing ONMC emissions is part of CARB’s broader Mobile Source Strategy, and Zero-Emission Motorcycles (ZEMs) will play an important role by providing consumers a clean alternative to traditional internal combustion engines. 

Historically, some of the challenges facing ZEM adoption have included vehicle cost, limited range, and charging time/availability.  With advancements in battery technology and an increase in number of electric vehicle (EV) charging stations, ZEMs are overcoming these challenges and becoming a more attractive option for motorcyclists.  There are several ZEM models currently available for sale in California, with more entering the market each year. 

ZEMs may qualify for rebates and financial incentives and many local jurisdictions also offer electric vehicle and charging incentives, so check your local government and electric utility websites.

In 2012, Governor Jerry Brown signed Executive Order B-16-2012, which established a goal of 1.5 million Zero-Emissions Vehicles (ZEVs) on California's roads by 2025. In 2020, Governor Gavin Newsom signed Executive Order N-79-20, which will require that all new passenger car and truck sales must be zero emission starting in year 2035. This Executive Order does not explicitly mention ONMC, but CARB continues to work diligently to transition all mobile source categories to zero emissions.

The most recent draft of CARB’s 2020 mobile source strategy proposes aggressive emission reduction targets across the transportation sector. This includes a scenario where 100% of motorcycle sales are ZEMs by 2035. CARB’s motorcycle regulation development staff is seeking to balance air quality goals with the technical and economic realities of the motorcycle market and is proposing a target of 50% ZEM by 2035.

You can subscribe for more information and updates to CARB’s ZEM program here.