What is Clean and Active Transportation?

Clean and active transportation in California refers to reducing transportation emissions and improving mobility through zero-emission vehicles (electric cars, buses, trucks, and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles) along with human-powered travel like walking and biking. This encompasses everything from EV charging infrastructure and electric public transit to bike lanes, pedestrian paths, and complete streets that safely accommodate all users. As California’s largest source of greenhouse gas emissions, the transportation sector is a major focus of the state’s climate policy. “Sprawl and car-dependent places persist as many still prioritize cars” – San Diego Catalyst Convening

What future are we working towards?

State and local participants envision less single-passenger vehicle-dependent urban, suburban and rural communities with affordable access to well connected, safe, and easy-to-use transportation infrastructure that enables mobility for all without emissions.

Which State Agencies are working on this issue?

This topic area is relevant to the function of:

  • California Energy Commission
  • California Public Utilities Commission
  • California Air Resources Board
  • California Department of Transportation (Caltrans)
  • Strategic Growth Council
  • Governor’s Office of Land Use and Climate Innovation.

What’s already working?

Several proven strategies are already accelerating clean and active transportation in California. Significant investments flowing through programs like the Active Transportation Program, CALeVIP rebates, Clean Vehicle Rebate Project, Clean Truck and Bus Voucher Incentive Program, and other California Climate Investments to support both the transition to zero-emission vehicles and the development of infrastructure that makes walking, biking, and transit viable alternatives to driving—particularly in disadvantaged communities where these investments can simultaneously address air quality, public health, and equity goals. Stacked incentive programs combining state rebates, utility incentives, and federal tax credits are making EVs accessible to lower-income Californians, particularly when paired with local outreach. Transit-oriented development in cities like Sacramento and San Diego, along with complete streets retrofits that safely accommodate pedestrians and cyclists, are demonstrating that integrated infrastructure investments can shift mode share away from single-occupancy vehicles. Utility programs are expanding EV charging infrastructure in multifamily housing and disadvantaged communities, addressing a critical adoption barrier.

What’s keeping us from making progress and how do we overcome these barriers?

Participants share that several key barriers impede progress and require further attention, as detailed below: Transportation Electrification and Vehicle Miles Traveled. Click on the barriers below to view details about challenges experienced across the state and solution opportunities at the state and local level.

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    Barrier 1: Transportation Electrification

    Lack of coordination between vehicle electrification, charging infrastructure, building systems, and the grid limits the resilience and energy benefits of transportation decarbonization, leaving communities unable to fully realize the potential of clean mobility investments and emission reductions.

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    Barrier 2: Vehicle Miles Traveled

    Sprawling land use, siloed planning, and underinvestment in clean and active transportation limit access to low-carbon mobility options and hinder efforts to reduce vehicle miles traveled.

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