CALSTART Media Contact: Jennifer Smith, jsmith@calstart.org

PASADENA, CA: CALSTART commends Governor Newsom and his administration for recognizing the economic, environmental, and community benefits of transitioning the transportation sector to cleaner and zero-emission technologies.

The impact of the governor’s leadership in issuing Executive Order N-79-20 in 2020 unleashed unprecedented investments, innovation, and job creation, establishing California as a global leader in clean transportation. Despite efforts from the federal administration to stifle innovation, the governor continued to support the state’s transition to zero-emission vehicles by issuing Executive Order N-27-25 on June 11, 2025.

The process that the Newsom administration and its agencies went through to develop the response to Executive Order N-27-25 underscores that California will not waiver in its commitment to building on its track record of providing a robust and thriving economy, high-quality jobs, and clean air that serves as a model for other states and jurisdictions globally.

CALSTART’s President and CEO, John Boesel, issued this statement:

“The response to the executive order highlights that California’s leadership will continue to drive progress in coordination with its many governmental, industry, and community partners to build on a foundation of robust science and economics, practical feasibility, and open engagement.

“The recent series of workshops that the California Air Resources Board, California Energy Commission, Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development, California State Transportation Agency, and Department of Consumer Affairs hosted is a testament to what effective stakeholder engagement looks like and has resulted in a robust response to the governor. This inclusive stakeholder engagement is a model for building practical, science-based solutions that maintain California’s clean transportation momentum.

“At the same time, it is clear that agency actions alone will not be enough. Yesterday, the Assembly took an important step by announcing language to extend California’s Cap-and-Invest program through 2045. To secure California’s global leadership and protect the more than 250,000 zero-emission-vehicle-related jobs in the state, lawmakers must act before adjournment to pass this extension and ensure at least $1 billion annually is dedicated to zero-emission vehicle and infrastructure incentives.

“California has long set the pace for the nation. Today’s agency response provides a framework, but the legislature now has the opportunity to deliver the decisive signal of market certainty and sustained investment that industry and communities need. CALSTART looks forward to working with the governor, legislature, agencies, and stakeholders to ensure California continues to lead the transition to a clean transportation future.”

Read the full report here.

About CALSTART
A mission-driven industry organization focused on transportation decarbonization and clean air for all, CALSTART has offices in New York, Michigan, Colorado, California, Florida, and Europe. CALSTART is uniquely positioned to build the national clean transportation industry by working closely with its more than 220 member companies and building on the lessons learned from the major programs it manages for the State of California. CALSTART manages more than $1 billion in vehicle incentive and technical assistance programs in the United States and is leading a global effort to build the zero-emission commercial vehicle market.