On a bipartisan vote, the California Senate and California Assembly yesterday approved a measure that would continue the state's clean vehicle and fuel incentives through 2023.

Co-authored by Assemblyman Henry T. Perea and Sen. Fran Pavley, Assembly Bill 8 would provide more than $2 billion in funding to help fleets and consumers purchase clean and low carbon cars, trucks, buses and construction equipment. The bill is now with Gov. Jerry Brown for his signature.

"This legislation authored by Assemblyman Perea and Senator Pavley is historic,” said John Boesel, CALSTART president. “It represents an unprecedented commitment by the state to help fleets and consumers transition to cleaner and lower carbon fuels and vehicles. If signed by the governor, this legislation will create tens of thousands of jobs in California's clean transportation tech industry and set us on a course to meet our clean air and climate goals."

The programs that would be extended include the AB 118 clean fuel and vehicle programs and the Carl Moyer and AB 923 local air district funds for diesel emission reduction, according to CALSTART, a nonprofit that promotes growth of the clean transportation technology industry. By extending these programs through 2023, AB 8 would provide more than $2 billion in clean air and transportation funding in California.

In addition, these bills also dedicate funding, in lieu of regulatory action, to construct the minimum fueling infrastructure necessary to support the impending introduction of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles, says CALSTART.

The California Senate voted to pass AB 8 on a bipartisan 29-6 vote. Then the bill went back to the California Assembly where it garnered the required 2/3 majority.

In addition to CALSTART, the other two co-sponsors of the Perea-Pavley bill include the California Air Pollution Control Officers Association (CAPCOA) and the American Lung Association in California.