Your Uber and Lyft driver must go electric. California's latest climate change mandate

California’s Uber and Lyft drivers must start switching to electric vehicles.

The California Air Resources Board voted Thursday to require ride-hailing companies to phase electric vehicles into their fleets starting in 2023. By 2030, at least 90% of the miles driven by ride-hail companies in California must be in electric vehicles.

The board’s vote represents another step in California’s crusade to electrify its cars and trucks to reduce carbon emissions and battle climate change. Amid the worst wildfire season on record last fall, Gov. Gavin Newsom issued an executive order eliminating the sale of new gas and diesel cars by 2035.

“The transportation sector is responsible for nearly half of California’s greenhouse gas emissions, the vast majority of which come from light-duty vehicles. This action will help provide certainty to the state’s climate efforts and improve air quality in our most disadvantaged communities,” air board Chairwoman Liane Randolph said in a prepared statement.

The air board said the ride-hailing companies have several routes to help meet the electrification mandates — including stepping up the number of carpooled rides and reducing “deadhead miles” driven without any passengers.

Read more: https://www.sacbee.com/news/local/environment/article251574748.html