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The CARB (California Air Resources Board) has approved the Innovative Clean Transit regulation. Now, California is again leading the way for environmental regulation in the United States. It is noteworthy that California State has planned to transition to an all-electric public bus fleet by 2040. It would the first of its kind in the U.S to reduce emissions generated by the public transportation of the state. The CARB has indicated that the transportation sector is responsible for 40% of climate-changing gas emissions and 80% to 90% of smog-forming pollution in California.

The mass transit agencies in California have indicated that 153 electric buses are currently moving on the state’s roads and it will cross 1,000 electric buses by the year 2020. The agencies are required to submit plans on how they will make the transition. It will only be allowed to purchase zero-emissions buses starting 2029. The target is for all 200 public transit agencies in California to be operating 100% zero-emission bus fleets by 2040. The full implementation of the regulation is expected to decrease greenhouse gas emissions by 19 million metric tons from 2020 to 2050. The CARB said the same as taking 4 million cars off the road.

The agency is also expecting a reduction in harmful tailpipe emissions. These include nitrogen oxides and particulate matter and it will be reduced about 7,000 tons and 40 tons, respectively, during the 30-year period. The CARB is looking at benefits that include cleaner air and quieter rides for people who regularly take public transportation with the Innovative Clean Transit regulation. The plan will also allow transit agencies to save at least $1.5 billion in costs by the year 2050 after fully establishing the infrastructure. The cities of California have done their share in working towards a cleaner future. The deployment of electric buses in California will also result in new employment opportunities.