Clean Transportation policies

San Francisco is leading the way in promoting the adoption of low-carbon transportation modes and clean vehicles to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve air quality. The key policies and ordinances below drive the city’s transition to a zero-emission transportation sector.  

Local Policy 

• Environmental Code, Chapter 4: Healthy Air and Clean Transportation Program: Promotes the use of zero-emission and low-carbon vehicles; implements policies to minimize the use of single occupancy vehicles and reduce the total number of passenger vehicles and light-duty trucks in the municipal fleet; encourages the creation, expansion, and maintenance of alternative fueling infrastructure in the City and at City facilities; encourages trip reduction, carpooling, and public transit such as by requiring employers to provide a commuter benefits program (Commuter Benefits Ordinance); and increases bicycle commuting by providing cyclists with the opportunity to securely park their bicycles in or close to their workplaces (Tenant Bicycle Parking in Existing Commercial Buildings Ordinance). 
• San Francisco Electric Vehicle (EV) Readiness Code: San Francisco’s Green Building Code’s “EV readiness” requirements apply to residential and commercial new construction buildings and existing buildings with major alterations. 
• Commercial Garage Electric Vehicle Charging Ordinance: Requires commercial parking garages and lots with more than 100 parking spaces to install EV charging equipment. 
• EV Charging Location in Planning Code: San Francisco's Planning Code establishes requirements for the location, design, and accessibility of EV charging stations across different zoning districts. 

State Policy 

• Advanced Clean Cars II Regulation: Requires all new passenger vehicles sold in California to be zero-emission by 2035. 
• Advanced Clean Fleets Regulation: Requires medium- and heavy-duty vehicle fleets to transition to zero-emission vehicles on a phased timeline through 2035.  
• Advanced Clean Trucks Regulation: Requires manufacturers to sell an increasing percentage of zero-emission trucks in California through 2036.  
• CALGreen Building Code: Outlines mandatory measures for EV charging requirements in new residential and commercial buildings. Measures include EV Capable and EV Ready requirements.   
• Low Carbon Fuel Standard: Program requires a reduction in the carbon intensity of transportation fuels that are sold, supplied, or offered for sale in the state through 2030. 

Learn more about state clean transportation policy by visiting the California Air Resources Board's Zero-Emission Transportation webpage and the California Energy Commission's Clean Transportation Program. 

Federal Policy 

• Regulations for Emissions from Vehicles and Engines: Standards established and updated periodically regarding the emission of any air pollutant from any new motor vehicles or new motor vehicle engines, which cause, or contribute to, air pollution that endangers public health or welfare. 
• Renewable Fuel Standard Program: Regulates the increase in volume of renewable fuel that is blended into transportation fuels. 
• Inflation Reduction Act of 2022: Supports a variety of alternative fuel vehicle and infrastructure technologies through tax credits, grant programs, and loan programs.  
• Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL): Enacted as the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021, the BIL appropriates $550 billion for new infrastructure investments and supports a variety of alternative fuel vehicle technologies through grants, studies, technology standards, loans, research and development, fleet funding, and other measures. BIL includes provisions to increase investment in EV supply equipment; alternative fuel infrastructure; EV batteries; electricity grid upgrades; and light-, medium-, and heavy-duty zero emission vehicles. 

Learn more about federal clean transportation policy by visiting the U.S. Department of Energy Alternative Fuels Data Center’s Federal and State Laws and Incentives webpage.