SACRAMENTO – The California Air Resources Board has voted unanimously to approve a rule that will see the state move to a 100 percent zero-emission bus fleet by 2040, taking a giant step towards tackling health-threatening transportation pollution.

The rule is also a boon for California's clean transportation manufacturing industry, the board said.

The state is already home to leading electric bus producers such as BYD and Proterra, and the rule will require the production of more than 14,000 new zero-emission buses.

“California has demonstrated once again that it is a leader on clean transportation. This is the first major regulation in the U.S. for transitioning to zero-emission buses and will serve as a model for other states and countries,” said Kathryn Phillips, director of Sierra Club California. “The current demand for clean buses has made California a hub for electric bus manufacturing. We have six factories or assembly facilities located here. This rule will create even more good-paying jobs across the state. The future of public transit consists of a quieter ride, cleaner air and a healthier economy.”

“California took a momentous step to realizing the right to zero on our city streets,” said Adrian Martinez, Earthjustice Staff Attorney. “From disadvantaged community members choking on diesel and gas tailpipe fumes, to college students, to transit agencies like LA Metro, to bus riders, to doctors and nurses, to environmental advocates, Californians made it clear they demand zero-emissions buses in communities statewide. On behalf of the thousands of Earthjustice Right to Zero campaign supporters who submitted comments, we commend the California Air Resources Board for enacting this life-saving regulation.”

“This is the biggest public transportation breakthrough since we switched from trolleys to diesel buses a century ago,” said Jimmy O’Dea, a senior vehicles analyst at the Union of Concerned Scientists. “Bus riders, bus drivers and anyone who has gulped the exhaust from a passing truck or bus knows we must do something about these vehicles. Electrifying them is a one-two punch: we reduce carbon emissions that worsen climate change and we clean up the air we breathe.”

“Moving to 100 percent clean buses, cars and trucks is the logical next step in California now that our state has committed to 100 percent clean electricity generation by 2045,” said Emily Fieberling of Environment California.

“It makes no sense to continue operating buses – often diesel-powered – that are hurting the environment and hurting our kids,” said Emma Shumway, fellow with Environment California. “We need to shoot for 100 percent clean buses and zero percent childhood asthma by 2030.”