The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has approved California's plan to phase out and ban sales of new gas-powered cars and light trucks by 2035. The EPA said it has granted California the necessary waivers for the law to take effect Developed and approved by the California Air Resources Board in 2022.

The EPA also approved California's plan to reduce nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions from heavy-duty trucks to reduce smog. The state will require an initial 75 percent reduction in NOx pollution and a 90 percent reduction after several years.

ACC II provides a year-by-year plan to phase out sales of combustion engine vehicles. The plan sets a deadline for 35 percent of the state's vehicle sales to be electric vehicles, plug-in hybrids or models with hydrogen fuel cells by 2026. The electric vehicle sales cap then rises to 68 percent by 2030 before reaching the 100 percent sales requirement by 2035. Consumers and dealers will be able to buy, sell and manage used ICE and hybrid cards up to ACC II. Liane Randolph, chairwoman of the California Air Resources Board, estimated that ACC II could lead to a 50 percent reduction in pollution by 2040.

California Governor Gavin Newsom applauded the decision and ACC II as evidence "California can rise to the challenge of protecting our people by cleaning up our air and reducing pollution."