State Announces New Purchasing Policies to Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions from the State’s Vehicle Fleet

Sacramento – In a continued effort to maximize reduction of greenhouse gas emissions under Executive Order (EO) N-19-19, the California Department of General Services (DGS) is taking bold steps in minimizing the state government’s carbon footprint by announcing new vehicle purchasing policies for the state fleet.

Effective immediately, DGS will prohibit purchasing by state agencies of any sedans solely powered by an internal combustion engine, with exemptions for certain public safety vehicles. A second policy, which is currently being developed by DGS, will require state agencies, starting on January 1, 2020, to only purchase vehicles from Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) that recognize the California Air Resources Board (CARB)’s authority to set greenhouse gas and zero emission vehicle standards, and which have committed to continuing stringent emissions reduction goals for their fleets.

“DGS is committed to ensuring we do our part to achieve California’s climate goals,” said DGS Director Daniel C. Kim. “Our state continues to lead by example by eliminating sedans solely powered by gas. This is one of many steps California has taken, and will continue to take, to drive demand for green vehicles. The nation looks to California to drive positive, environmental change, and we will not waver from our commitment to that effort.”

Local governmental agencies are able to utilize the state vehicle contracts, so this action will provide the ability for additional low emission vehicles to be purchased throughout California.

This is one of many steps DGS has taken to reducing or displacing the consumption of petroleum products by the state fleet. The state fleet met and exceeded the 20 percent petroleum reduction goal of Assembly Bill 236 (2007) three years earlier than the 2020 requirement.

Other key accomplishments include:

The reductions have been accomplished through a combination of efforts including: fleet vehicle reductions; new fuel consumption reporting requirements; departmental education initiatives and outreach; efficient vehicle adoption and new fuel usage policies by purchasing zero-emission and hybrid vehicles for the state fleet.

These new policies apply to all non-public safety, vehicle categories where departments have a choice between vehicles produced by CARB compliant and non-compliant OEMs.

Implementing EO N-19-19 will greatly further these efforts by setting new goals for the state fleet – specifically, goals that would require the state fleet to reduce its petroleum consumption by 50 percent (from 2015 levels) by 2030 and reduced its GHG emissions by 40 percent (from 1990 levels).

DGS will continue to move forward with developing and implementing sustainable purchasing policies that prioritize climate change mitigation efforts.