Chapter 8.3 - State Vehicle Fleet

California Public Resources Code — §§ 25722-25724.4

Sections (10)

Added by Stats. 2001, Ch. 912, Sec. 2. Effective January 1, 2002.

(a)On or before January 31, 2003, the commission, the Department of General Services, and the State Air Resources Board, in consultation with any other state agency that the commission, the department, and the state board deem necessary, shall develop and adopt fuel-efficiency specifications governing the purchase by the state of motor vehicles and replacement tires that, on an annual basis, will reduce petroleum consumption of the state vehicle fleet to the maximum extent practicable and cost-effective.

(b)In developing the specifications, the commission and the department shall jointly conduct a study to examine state vehicle purchasing patterns, including the purchase of after market tires, and to analyze the costs and benefits of reducing the energy consumption of the state vehicle fleet by no less than 10 percent on or before January 1, 2005.

(c)The study shall include an analysis of all of the following topics:

(1)Use of alternative fuels.

(2)Use of fuel-efficient vehicles.

(3)Costs and benefits of decreasing the size of the state vehicle fleet.

(4)Reduction in vehicle trips and increase in use of alternative means of transportation.

(5)Improved vehicle maintenance.

(6)Costs and benefits of using fuel-efficient tires relative to using retreaded tires, as described in the Retreaded Tire Program (Chapter 7 (commencing with Section 42400) of Part 3 of Division 30 of the Public Resources Code).

(7)The costs and benefits of purchasing high fuel efficiency gasoline vehicles, including hybrid electric vehicles, instead of flexible fuel vehicles.

(d)On or before January 31, 2003, and annually thereafter, the commission, the Department of General Services, and the State Air Resources Board, in consultation with any other state agency that the commission, the department, and the state board deem necessary, shall develop and adopt air pollution emission specifications governing the purchase by the state of passenger cars and light-duty trucks that meet or exceed California’s Ultra-Low Emission Vehicle (ULEV) standards for exhaust emissions (13 Cal. Code Regs. 1960.1).

(e)If the study described in subdivision (b) determines that lower cost measures exist that deliver petroleum reductions equivalent to applicable federal requirements governing the state purchase of passenger cars and light-duty trucks, the state shall pursue a waiver from those federal requirements.

§ 25722.5

Amended by Stats. 2022, Ch. 152, Sec. 1. (SB 1305) Effective January 1, 2023.

(a)Each state office, agency, and department shall review its vehicle fleet and, upon finding that it is fiscally prudent, cost effective, or otherwise in the public interest to do so, shall dispose of nonessential sport utility vehicles and four-wheel drive trucks in its fleet and replace these vehicles with more fuel-efficient passenger cars and trucks.

(b)To the maximum extent practicable, each state office, agency, and department that has bifuel natural gas,

bifuel propane, and flex fuel vehicles in its vehicle fleet shall use the respective alternative fuel in those vehicles.

(c)The Director of General Services shall compile annually and maintain information on the nature of vehicles that are owned or leased by the state, including, but not limited to, all of the following:

(1)The number of passenger-type motor vehicles purchased or leased during the year, and the number owned or leased as of December 31 of each year.

(2)The number of sport utility vehicles and four-wheel drive trucks purchased or leased by the state during the year, and the number owned or leased as of December 31 of each year.

(3)The number of alternatively fueled vehicles and hybrid vehicles purchased or leased by the state during the year, and the total number owned or leased as of December 31 of each year and their location.

(4)The locations of the alternative fuel pumps available for those vehicles.

(5)The justification provided for all sport utility vehicles and four-wheel drive trucks purchased or leased by the state and the specific office, department, or agency responsible for the purchase or lease.

(6)The number of sport utility vehicles and four-wheel drive trucks purchased or leased by the state during the year, and the number owned or leased as of December 31 of each year that are alternative fuel or

hybrid vehicles.

(7)The number of light-duty trucks disposed of under subdivision (a).

(8)The total dollars spent by the state on passenger-type vehicle purchases and leases, categorized by sport utility vehicle and nonsport utility vehicle, and within each of those categories, by alternative fuel, hybrid, and other.

(9)The total annual consumption of gasoline and diesel fuel used by the state fleet.

(10)The total annual consumption of alternative fuels.

(11)On December 31, 2009, and annually thereafter, the Director of General Services shall also compile the total annual vehicle miles traveled

by vehicles in the state fleet.

(d)Each state office, agency, and department shall cooperate with the Department of General Services’ data requests in order that the department may compile and maintain the information required in subdivision (c).

(e)As soon as practicable, but no later than 12 months after receiving the data, the information compiled and maintained under subdivision (c) and a list of those state offices, agencies, and departments that are not in compliance with subdivision (d) shall be made available to the public on the Department of General Services’ internet website.

(f)Beginning July 1, 2009, and every three years thereafter, the Director of General Services shall prepare a report on the information

compiled and maintained pursuant to subdivision (c). The Director of General Services shall post that report on its internet website.

(g)Pursuant to Article IX of the California Constitution, this section does not apply to the University of California except to the extent that the Regents of the University of California, by appropriate resolution, make this section applicable.

§ 25722.6

Amended by Stats. 2022, Ch. 152, Sec. 2. (SB 1305) Effective January 1, 2023.

(a)(1) On or before January 1, 2023, the Department of General Services shall maximize the purchase and availability of alternative fuel vehicles, such as battery electric vehicles, hydrogen fuel cell vehicles, and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, in the state fleet by adopting a procurement method to evaluate those vehicles. The procurement method may evaluate those vehicles based only on cost or also on any environmental or energy benefits of those vehicles.

(2)For the purchase of passenger vehicles and light-duty trucks powered solely by an internal combustion engine, the Department of General Services shall evaluate

the cost and the environmental and energy benefits for potential procurement by state and local governments. The evaluations shall consider both of the following criteria:

(A)The reduction in emissions of greenhouse gases, air pollutant emissions, and petroleum use on a full fuel-cycle basis, to the extent possible, based on existing data available to the State Air Resources Board, the commission, or other reliable sources, including the California Strategy to Reduce Petroleum Dependence developed pursuant to subdivision (f) of Section 25720 and the state plan to increase the use of alternative transportation fuels developed pursuant to Section 43866 of the Health and Safety Code.

(B)The total costs of ownership of the vehicle and life-cycle impacts.

(b)The Department of General Services shall revise its procedures for the procurement of state and local government vehicles based on the necessary performance specifications of the vehicles to perform the required work or tasks of the vehicles in the fleet. The Department of General Services shall establish vehicle “classes” depending on the required work or tasks and the necessary performance specifications.

(c)For the purpose of state fleet procurement, both of the following shall apply:

(1)Available vehicles powered solely by an internal combustion engine in individual classes shall be evaluated for purchase or lease using the method and criteria developed

pursuant to subdivision (a).

(2)Vehicles shall be procured for use in the state fleet that meet all requirements established by the federal government, including, but not limited to, the federal Energy Policy Act of 1992, Public Law 102-486, if applicable.

(d)The Department of General Services shall evaluate vehicles for potential addition to the state and local fleets, as described in this section, on an annual basis, reflecting annual new vehicle availability.

(e)A vehicle capable of using alternative fuels shall be operated on those fuels to the maximum extent practicable unless alternative fuels are not readily available or other factors exist that may prevent the use of

those fuels in the area in which the vehicle is used.

(f)The Department of General Services shall do both of the following:

(1)During the normal course of coordination and contracting with nearby fueling stations, provide information related to the alternative fuel vehicles in the state fleet and request the stations to provide a fuel supply to meet that demand.

(2)When replacing, retrofitting, or installing a fueling tank or infrastructure at a facility that fuels state vehicles, the Department of General Services shall consider requesting competitive bids for alternative fuel infrastructure that would meet the needs of vehicles used, or planned to be used, in that facility.

(g)Authorized emergency vehicles, as defined in Section 165 of the Vehicle Code, that are equipped with emergency lamps or lights, as described in Section 25252 of the Vehicle Code, are exempt from the requirements of this section.

(h)Each state office, agency, or department seeking to purchase or lease a sport utility vehicle or four-wheel drive vehicle shall demonstrate to the satisfaction of the Director of General Services or the entity that purchases or leases vehicles that the vehicle is required to perform an essential function of the office, agency, or department. If it is so demonstrated, priority consideration shall be given to the purchase or lease of an alternative fuel or hybrid sports utility vehicle or four-wheel drive vehicle.

(i)Pursuant to Article IX of

the California Constitution, this section does not apply to the University of California except to the extent that the Regents of the University of California, by appropriate resolution, make this section applicable.

§ 25722.7

Amended by Stats. 2022, Ch. 152, Sec. 3. (SB 1305) Effective January 1, 2023.

(a)In order to further achieve the policy objectives set forth in Sections 25000.5, 25722, and 25722.5, the Department of General Services, in consultation with the commission, shall establish a minimum fuel economy standard that is above the standard, as it existed on January 1, 2007, established pursuant to Section 3620.1 of the State Administrative Manual, for the purchase of passenger vehicles and light duty trucks for the state fleet that are powered solely by internal combustion engines using fossil fuels or that are powered by more than one source, such as nonplug-in hybrid electric vehicles. The minimum fuel economy standard required by this subdivision does not apply to plug-in hybrid electric vehicles or battery electric

vehicles.

(b)All new state fleet purchases by the Department of General Services and any other state entities of passenger vehicles and light duty trucks that are powered solely by internal combustion engines using fossil fuels, or that are powered by more than one source, such as nonplug-in hybrid electric vehicles, shall meet the fuel economy standard established under subdivision (a). This subdivision does not apply to plug-in hybrid electric vehicles or battery electric vehicles.

(c)Authorized emergency vehicles, as defined in Section 165 of the Vehicle Code, and vehicles described in subdivision (h) of Section 25722.6, are exempt from this section.

(d)Vehicles that are purchased and modified for the following purposes

are exempt from this section:

(1)To provide services by a state entity to an individual with a disability or a developmental disability, as defined under the statutes or regulations governing that state entity.

(2)As a reasonable accommodation for the known physical or mental disability, as defined in Section 12926 of the Government Code, of an employee.

(e)For purposes of this section, “state entities” includes all state departments, boards, commissions, programs, and other organizational units of the executive, legislative, and judicial branches of state government, the California Community Colleges, the California State University, and the University of California.

(f)This section shall not apply to the University of California except to the extent that the Regents of the University of California, by appropriate resolution, make that provision applicable.

§ 25722.8

Amended by Stats. 2014, Ch. 71, Sec. 144. (SB 1304) Effective January 1, 2015.

(a)On or before July 1, 2009, the Secretary of the Government Operations Agency, in consultation with the Department of General Services and other appropriate state agencies that maintain or purchase vehicles for the state fleet, including the campuses of the California State University, shall develop and implement, and submit to the Legislature and the Governor, a plan to improve the overall state fleet’s use of alternative fuels, synthetic lubricants, and fuel-efficient vehicles by reducing or displacing the consumption of petroleum products by the state fleet when compared to the 2003 consumption level based on the following schedule:

(1)By January 1, 2012, a 10-percent reduction or displacement.

(2)By January 1, 2020, a 20-percent reduction or displacement.

(b)Beginning April 1, 2010, and annually thereafter, the Department of General Services shall prepare a progress report on meeting the goals specified in subdivision (a). The Department of General Services shall post the progress report on its Internet Web site.

(c)(1) The Department of General Services shall encourage, to the extent feasible, the operation of state alternatively fueled vehicles on the alternative fuel for which the vehicle is designed and the development of commercial infrastructure for alternative fuel pumps and charging stations at or near state vehicle fueling or parking sites.

(2)The Department of General Services shall work with other public

agencies to incentivize and promote, to the extent feasible, state employee operation of alternatively fueled vehicles through preferential or reduced-cost parking, access to charging, or other means.

(3)For purposes of this subdivision, “alternatively fueled vehicles” means light-, medium-, and heavy-duty vehicles that reduce petroleum usage and related emissions by using advanced technologies and fuels, including, but not limited to, hybrid, plug-in hybrid, battery electric, natural gas, or fuel cell vehicles and including those vehicles described in Section 5205.5 of the Vehicle Code.

§ 25722.9

Added by Stats. 2012, Ch. 676, Sec. 2. (AB 2583) Effective January 1, 2013.

(a)For purposes of this section, “alternatively fueled vehicles” means light-, medium-, and heavy-duty vehicles that reduce petroleum usage and related emissions by using advanced technologies and fuels, including, but not limited to, hybrid, plug-in hybrid, battery electric, natural gas, or fuel cell vehicles and including those vehicles described in Section 5205.5 of the Vehicle Code.

(b)The Department of General Services and the Department of Transportation shall develop and implement advanced technology vehicle parking incentive programs, to the extent feasible,

in public parking facilities of 50 spaces or more operated by the Department of General Services and park-and-ride lots owned and operated by the Department of Transportation to incentivize the purchase and use of alternatively fueled vehicles in the state. These programs shall provide meaningful, tangible benefits for drivers of alternatively fueled vehicles. These incentives may include preferential spaces, reduced fees, and fueling infrastructure for alternatively fueled vehicles that use these parking facilities or park-and-ride lots.

§ 25722.11

Added by Stats. 2017, Ch. 639, Sec. 1. (AB 739) Effective January 1, 2018. Inoperative on date prescribed by its own provisions. Repealed, by its own provisions, on January 1 following inoperative date.

(a)Beginning December 31, 2025, at least 15 percent of newly purchased vehicles with a gross vehicle weight rating of 19,000 pounds or more purchased by the Department of General Services and other state entities for the state fleet shall be zero emission. Beginning December 31, 2030, at least 30 percent of newly purchased vehicles with a gross vehicle weight rating of 19,000 pounds or more purchased by the Department of General Services and other state entities for the state fleet shall be zero emission.

(b)This section does not apply to vehicles that have special performance requirements necessary for the protection of public safety, as defined by the Department of General Services.

(c)If, on or after December 31, 2026, the Department of General Services, in a public hearing, finds that it cannot meet the needs of the state while meeting the requirements of this section, the department shall disclose that finding at the hearing and shall notify the Legislature of the finding in compliance with Section 9795 of the Government Code.

(d)Upon disclosure of a finding pursuant to subdivision (c), the Department of General Services shall take the following steps:

(1)While meeting the requirements of this section to the maximum extent practicable, the department, in consultation with the State Air Resources Board, shall conduct a technological assessment of zero-emission vehicle technology for vehicles with a gross vehicle weight rating of 19,000 pounds or more. The technological assessment shall include a

plan to address the issues preventing the department and other state entities from meeting the requirements of this section.

(2)The department shall implement the plan developed pursuant to paragraph (1) for a period of at least one year.

(3)If, after the one-year period specified in paragraph (2), the department, in a public hearing, finds that it still cannot meet the needs of the state while meeting the requirements of this section, the department shall disclose that finding at the hearing and shall notify the Legislature of the finding in compliance with Section 9795 of the Government Code.

(e)This section is inoperative on the date on which the Department of General Services notifies the Legislature pursuant to paragraph (3) of subdivision (d) and is repealed on January 1 of the following

year.

§ 25723

Added by Stats. 2001, Ch. 912, Sec. 2. Effective January 1, 2002.

On or before January 31, 2003, the commission, in consultation with any other state agency that the commission deems necessary, shall develop and adopt recommendations for consideration by the Governor and the Legislature of a California State Fuel-Efficient Tire Program. The commission shall make recommendations on all of the following items:

(a)Establishing a test procedure for measuring tire fuel efficiency.

(b)Development of a data base of fuel efficiency of existing tires in order to establish an accurate baseline of tire efficiency.

(c)A rating system for tires that provides consumers with information on the fuel efficiency of individual tire models.

(d)A consumer-friendly system to disseminate tire fuel-efficiency information as broadly as possible. The commission shall consider labeling, Web site listing, printed fuel economy guide booklets, and mandatory requirements for tire retailers to provide fuel-efficiency information.

(e)A study to determine the safety implications, if any, of different policies to promote fuel efficient replacement tires in the consumer market.

(f)A mandatory fuel-efficiency standard for all after market tires sold in California.

(g)Consumer incentive programs that would offer a rebate to purchasers of replacement tires that are more fuel efficient than the average replacement tire.

§ 25724

Added by Stats. 2017, Ch. 628, Sec. 3. (SB 498) Effective January 1, 2018.

(a)Beginning no later than the 2024–25 fiscal year, the Department of General Services shall ensure that at least 50 percent of the light-duty vehicles purchased for the state vehicle fleet each fiscal year are zero-emission vehicles.

(b)This section shall not apply to vehicles that have special performance requirements necessary for the protection of public safety, as defined by the Department of General Services.

(c)(1) If the Department of General Services determines that it cannot meet the needs of the state while fulfilling the requirements of this section, the department shall hold a

public hearing to make that finding, notify the Secretary of State of the finding, and cease to implement this section.

(2)The Department of General Services may base the finding required pursuant to paragraph (1) on a determination that fulfilling the requirements of this section would result in costs that are not substantially absorbable by the department when purchasing those light-duty vehicles.

§ 25724.4

Added by Stats. 2022, Ch. 360, Sec. 3. (SB 1010) Effective January 1, 2023.

(a)The installation of electric vehicle supply equipment or supporting electrical and hydrogen fueling infrastructure by state entities to support state fleet operations pursuant to subdivision (d) of Section 599.808 of Title 2 of the California Code of Regulations shall not be construed to be gifts of public funds in violation of Section 6 of Article XVI of the California Constitution.

(b)State entities shall not be required to recover electric vehicle supply equipment upon the separation of a state employee.

(c)For purposes of this section, “electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE)” means the unit that controls the power supply to one or more vehicles during a charging

session.