California has exceeded Gov. Jerry Brown’s initial goals for placing more zero-emission vehicles (ZEV) on the road, according to new data released by the state.

Nearly 12% of new light-duty vehicle purchases made by state agencies are now zero-emission, exceeding Gov. Brown’s goal of 10% set forth in his 2012 executive order, which envisions 1.5 million zero-emission vehicles on California roads by 2025. The achievement was announced at the state’s first-ever alternative transportation expo held at the State Capitol Monday.

"We have approved approximately 310 zero emission vehicle purchases for state government use and about 252 ZEVs have been deployed by state departments," said Daniel Kim, director of the Department of General Services (DGS). "Those numbers include battery, electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles that are purchased through state contracts managed by DGS."

The ZEV purchase data announcement puts the state in a good position to meet the governor’s next goal, which calls for 25% of light-duty replacement fleet purchases to be zero emission by 2020.

Limited EV charging infrastructure and limited vehicle options are two of state departments’ biggest challenges in complying with the executive order. To assist with this, DGS has solicited and awarded contracts for solar electric charging stations and medium- and heavy-duty PHEVs.

DGS is also expanding the state’s vehicle charging station infrastructure. DGS manages about 70 Level 2 EV charging stations at state facilities with plans to install about 80 more by the end of 2016. DGS has also begun a statewide program to install a minimum of 1,000 basic Level 1 charging receptacles throughout all DGS garages and parking lots.

Additionally, DGS is working with the California Air Resources Board to establish ZEV credits for electric motorcycles as well as medium- and heavy-duty PHEVs.