Sept. 29, 2021—California Gov. Gavin Newsom last week signed SB500 into law, requiring all light-duty autonomous vehicles to be zero emissions starting in 2030.

According to Spectrum News 1, transportation accounts for 40 percent of the state's greenhouse gas emissions, and research from the Union of Concerned Scientists shows AVS are more likely to produce more vehicle miles driven, which would generate even more emissions. 

“SB 500 is a smart policy to ensure that driverless vehicles don’t contribute to the problem,” said Union of Concerned Scientists senior transportation analyst Elizabeth Irvin.