California Electric Vehicle Plan Misses Equity, Advocates Say

California’s top air regulator will vote Thursday on Advanced Clean Cars II, the state’s plan to ramp up the sale of zero-emission vehicles. But environmental advocates are worried that the cars will remain out of reach for low-income residents.

The California Air Resources Board’s proposal would require automakers to meet annual goals on a path mandating the full phase-out of new gas-powered vehicle sales by 2035. California would set a new standard for reducing greenhouse gases from cars and trucks, with 15 other states signed onto its vehicle standards poised to follow.

Environmental advocates want the proposal to pass because ...