Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a package of legislation designed to accelerate California’s transition to clean transportation, streamline the deployment of electric vehicle chargers and expand consumer choice, the governor’s office announced Sunday.
The legislative package includes SB 969, SB 1283, AB 1820, SB 1213, SB 1267 and SB 615. The new laws are aimed at cutting red tape to expedite charger deployment, supporting charging access in multifamily housing, strengthening transparency for zero-emission truck incentives and providing clearer battery information for consumers, according to the governor’s office.
“Donald Trump has failed to protect American families from paying skyrocketing costs at the pump because of his reckless foreign conflicts and Big Oil greed,” Newsom said in a statement.
The laws address practical hurdles in EV adoption. SB 969 modernizes outdated inspection rules for manufacturer-tested public chargers to help them come online faster while preserving consumer protection safeguards.
SB 1283 clarifies that streamlined permitting rules for charger installations also apply to related infrastructure work like trenching, electrical upgrades, solar canopies and battery storage.
AB 1820 reduces permitting barriers and fees for charging projects at apartments and mixed-use developments to expand access for renters.
Additionally, SB 1213, SB 1267, and SB 615 improve incentive transparency for zero-emission trucks, assist residents in homeowner associations with EV charging access and offer clearer battery information for vehicle buyers.
The legislation builds on the state’s MyFirstEV program, which provides eligible first-time buyers instant rebates of up to $3,500 for a new zero-emission vehicle or up to $1,750 for a used vehicle. The program is backed by a $135.5 million state investment matched dollar-for-dollar by participating automakers, totaling $271 million in point-of-sale savings.
Californians can explore options at electricforall.org. The MyFirstEV rebate is part of a broader $600 million investment funded through Cap-and-Invest revenue and smog-abatement fees, which also supports the Clean Cars 4 All program, the Clean Truck and Bus Voucher Incentive Project and the Carl Moyer Program.
State officials report that California features more than 216,445 public and shared charging plugs statewide, including over 20,000 DC fast-charging ports.
The California Energy Commission allocated $98.5 million in light-duty ZEV infrastructure funding for the 2025–26 fiscal year, prioritizing Level 1 and Level 2 chargers at homes and multifamily residences, the governor’s office reported Sunday.
California has surpassed its initial goal of 1.5 million zero-emission vehicle sales by 2025, recording more than 2.7 million cumulative ZEV sales. In the second quarter of 2026, residents purchased 86,857 new ZEVs, accounting for 19.1% of all new vehicle sales in the state, according to the governor’s office.
“California is choosing a stronger path: more EVs on the road, more chargers in our communities, and more affordable choices for families and businesses. These laws cut red tape, accelerate the infrastructure we need, and build a safer, more reliable, and more affordable future, one that is powered by California innovation, not dictated by global oil markets,” Newsom added.
