Description

California has adopted ambitious targets for reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. These include an earlier target of an 80% reduction from a 1990 baseline in energy-related CO2 emissions by 2050, a statutory target of 40% reductions from the same baseline by 2030, and a recent executive order calling for carbon neutrality by 2045. Road transportation modes-including cars and light, medium, and heavy-duty trucks-will all need to play their part. In this study, we examine the costs and challenges of reducing road transportation GHG emissions 80% by 2050, through rapid uptake of advanced vehicle and fuel technologies. We consider several scenarios and the costs of achieving these, along with policy implications.