Transportation

Low-Emission Vehicle (LEV) Standards

Under the Section 177 federal Clean Air Act, California has the unique authority among states to establish vehicle emission standards stricter than federal standards, which are referred to as Low-Emission Vehicle (LEV) or “Clean Car” standards. Other states may adopt California's more stringent tailpipe emission standards in lieu of federal requirements, and are also known as "Section 177 States.”

First adopted in 1990 by California, these regulations set increasingly stringent emissions standards for greenhouse gases (GHGs) and criteria pollutants and require automakers to introduce lower-emitting cars and trucks with each model year. LEV standards have been updated four times, most recently in 2022 as part of California's Advanced Clean Car II regulations. The LEV IV standards cover model years 2026 through 2035.

Request Policy Assistance

Glossary of Terms

States with Policy Enacted

In Progress

Partially Enacted

See States List

Key Resources

Glossary of Terms

Section 177 States Regulation Dashboard

An interactive dashboard that provides information on states that have adopted California’s light- and heavy-duty vehicle regulations under Section 177 of the Clean Air Act.

2024

Source:

California Air Resources Board

Clean Car Standards

An overview and timeline of clean car standards as they evolved and met opposition nationally.

2024

Source:

NYU State Impact Center

Model Rules

Glossary of Terms

LEV IV Regulation

A model regulation that other states may adopt to set increasingly stringent emission standards for criteria pollutants and GHGs for new passenger vehicles in model years 2026-2035.

2023

Source:

California Air Resources Board

Model States

Glossary of Terms

California

California LEV Program

2022

Establishing Policies

Delaware

Delaware LEV Program

2023

Establishing Policies

Maryland

Maryland Clean Cars Program

2023

Establishing Policies

New Mexico

Clean Cars New Mexico

2023

Establishing Policies

Glossary of Terms

Filters

Status	State Sort descending	Region	YR Enacted
Not Enacted	Alabama Empty column Under Section 177 of the Clean Air Act, California has the unique authority to establish vehicle emission standards more stringent than federal standards, and other states may adopt California’s standards. These Low-Emission Vehicle (LEV) standards control tailpipe emissions of criteria pollutants and greenhouse gasses from light-duty vehicles. Empty column	Southeast
Not Enacted	Alaska Empty column Under Section 177 of the Clean Air Act, California has the unique authority to establish vehicle emission standards more stringent than federal standards, and other states may adopt California’s standards. These Low-Emission Vehicle (LEV) standards control tailpipe emissions of criteria pollutants and greenhouse gasses from light-duty vehicles. Empty column	West
Not Enacted	Arizona Empty column Under Section 177 of the Clean Air Act, California has the unique authority to establish vehicle emission standards more stringent than federal standards, and other states may adopt California’s standards. These Low-Emission Vehicle (LEV) standards control tailpipe emissions of criteria pollutants and greenhouse gasses from light-duty vehicles. Empty column	Southwest
Not Enacted	Arkansas Empty column Under Section 177 of the Clean Air Act, California has the unique authority to establish vehicle emission standards more stringent than federal standards, and other states may adopt California’s standards. These Low-Emission Vehicle (LEV) standards control tailpipe emissions of criteria pollutants and greenhouse gasses from light-duty vehicles. Empty column	Southeast
Enacted	California Empty column California LEV Program Establishing Policies Section 1961.4, Title 13, CCR (2022) California LEV Program Empty column	West	2022
Enacted	Colorado Empty column Colorado LEV Program Establishing Policies 5 CCR 1001-24 (2023) Colorado LEV Program Empty column	West	2023
Enacted	Connecticut Empty column Connecticut LEV Program Establishing Policies Section 22a-174-36c (2018) Connecticut LEV Program Empty column	Northeast	2018
Enacted	Delaware Empty column Delaware LEV Program Establishing Policies Delaware Administrative Code Title 7, 1000, 1140 (2023) Delaware LEV Program Empty column	Southeast	2023
Not Enacted	Florida Empty column Under Section 177 of the Clean Air Act, California has the unique authority to establish vehicle emission standards more stringent than federal standards, and other states may adopt California’s standards. These Low-Emission Vehicle (LEV) standards control tailpipe emissions of criteria pollutants and greenhouse gasses from light-duty vehicles. Empty column	Southeast
Not Enacted	Georgia Empty column Under Section 177 of the Clean Air Act, California has the unique authority to establish vehicle emission standards more stringent than federal standards, and other states may adopt California’s standards. These Low-Emission Vehicle (LEV) standards control tailpipe emissions of criteria pollutants and greenhouse gasses from light-duty vehicles. Empty column	Southeast
Not Enacted	Hawai‘i Empty column Under Section 177 of the Clean Air Act, California has the unique authority to establish vehicle emission standards more stringent than federal standards, and other states may adopt California’s standards. These Low-Emission Vehicle (LEV) standards control tailpipe emissions of criteria pollutants and greenhouse gasses from light-duty vehicles. Empty column	West
Not Enacted	Idaho Empty column Under Section 177 of the Clean Air Act, California has the unique authority to establish vehicle emission standards more stringent than federal standards, and other states may adopt California’s standards. These Low-Emission Vehicle (LEV) standards control tailpipe emissions of criteria pollutants and greenhouse gasses from light-duty vehicles. Empty column	West
Not Enacted	Illinois Empty column Under Section 177 of the Clean Air Act, California has the unique authority to establish vehicle emission standards more stringent than federal standards, and other states may adopt California’s standards. These Low-Emission Vehicle (LEV) standards control tailpipe emissions of criteria pollutants and greenhouse gasses from light-duty vehicles. Empty column	Midwest
Not Enacted	Indiana Empty column Under Section 177 of the Clean Air Act, California has the unique authority to establish vehicle emission standards more stringent than federal standards, and other states may adopt California’s standards. These Low-Emission Vehicle (LEV) standards control tailpipe emissions of criteria pollutants and greenhouse gasses from light-duty vehicles. Empty column	Midwest
Not Enacted	Iowa Empty column Under Section 177 of the Clean Air Act, California has the unique authority to establish vehicle emission standards more stringent than federal standards, and other states may adopt California’s standards. These Low-Emission Vehicle (LEV) standards control tailpipe emissions of criteria pollutants and greenhouse gasses from light-duty vehicles. Empty column	Midwest
Not Enacted	Kansas Empty column Under Section 177 of the Clean Air Act, California has the unique authority to establish vehicle emission standards more stringent than federal standards, and other states may adopt California’s standards. These Low-Emission Vehicle (LEV) standards control tailpipe emissions of criteria pollutants and greenhouse gasses from light-duty vehicles. Empty column	Midwest
Not Enacted	Kentucky Empty column Under Section 177 of the Clean Air Act, California has the unique authority to establish vehicle emission standards more stringent than federal standards, and other states may adopt California’s standards. These Low-Emission Vehicle (LEV) standards control tailpipe emissions of criteria pollutants and greenhouse gasses from light-duty vehicles. Empty column	Southeast
Not Enacted	Louisiana Empty column Under Section 177 of the Clean Air Act, California has the unique authority to establish vehicle emission standards more stringent than federal standards, and other states may adopt California’s standards. These Low-Emission Vehicle (LEV) standards control tailpipe emissions of criteria pollutants and greenhouse gasses from light-duty vehicles. Empty column	Southeast
Enacted	Maine Empty column Maine LEV Standards Establishing Policies Department of Environmental Protection Rules, Chapter 127 (2012) Maine LEV Standards Empty column	Northeast	2012
Enacted	Maryland Empty column Maryland Clean Cars Program Establishing Policies COMAR 26.11.34.00 (2023) Maryland Clean Cars Program Empty column	Southeast	2023
Enacted	Massachusetts Empty column Massachusetts LEV Program Establishing Policies 310 CMR 7.40 (2022) Massachusetts LEV Program Empty column	Northeast	2022
Not Enacted	Michigan Empty column Under Section 177 of the Clean Air Act, California has the unique authority to establish vehicle emission standards more stringent than federal standards, and other states may adopt California’s standards. These Low-Emission Vehicle (LEV) standards control tailpipe emissions of criteria pollutants and greenhouse gasses from light-duty vehicles. Empty column	Midwest
Enacted	Minnesota Empty column Clean Cars Minnesota Establishing Policies Minn. R. Part 7023.0250 (2021) Clean Cars Minnesota Empty column	Midwest	2021
Not Enacted	Mississippi Empty column Under Section 177 of the Clean Air Act, California has the unique authority to establish vehicle emission standards more stringent than federal standards, and other states may adopt California’s standards. These Low-Emission Vehicle (LEV) standards control tailpipe emissions of criteria pollutants and greenhouse gasses from light-duty vehicles. Empty column	Southeast
Not Enacted	Missouri Empty column Under Section 177 of the Clean Air Act, California has the unique authority to establish vehicle emission standards more stringent than federal standards, and other states may adopt California’s standards. These Low-Emission Vehicle (LEV) standards control tailpipe emissions of criteria pollutants and greenhouse gasses from light-duty vehicles. Empty column	Midwest
Not Enacted	Montana Empty column Under Section 177 of the Clean Air Act, California has the unique authority to establish vehicle emission standards more stringent than federal standards, and other states may adopt California’s standards. These Low-Emission Vehicle (LEV) standards control tailpipe emissions of criteria pollutants and greenhouse gasses from light-duty vehicles. Empty column	West
Not Enacted	Nebraska Empty column Under Section 177 of the Clean Air Act, California has the unique authority to establish vehicle emission standards more stringent than federal standards, and other states may adopt California’s standards. These Low-Emission Vehicle (LEV) standards control tailpipe emissions of criteria pollutants and greenhouse gasses from light-duty vehicles. Empty column	Midwest
Enacted	Nevada Empty column Clean Cars Nevada Establishing Policies R093-20 (2021) Clean Cars Nevada Program Empty column	West	2021
Not Enacted	New Hampshire Empty column Under Section 177 of the Clean Air Act, California has the unique authority to establish vehicle emission standards more stringent than federal standards, and other states may adopt California’s standards. These Low-Emission Vehicle (LEV) standards control tailpipe emissions of criteria pollutants and greenhouse gasses from light-duty vehicles. Empty column	Northeast
Enacted	New Jersey Empty column New Jersey LEV Program Establishing Policies N.J.A.C. 7:27-29 (2023) New Jersey LEV Program Empty column	Northeast	2023
Enacted	New Mexico Empty column Clean Cars New Mexico Establishing Policies 20.11.104 NMAC (2023) Clean Cars New Mexico Empty column	Southwest	2023
Enacted	New York Empty column New York LEV Program Establishing Policies 6 NYCRR Part 218 (2023) New York LEV Program Empty column	Northeast	2023
Not Enacted	North Carolina Empty column Under Section 177 of the Clean Air Act, California has the unique authority to establish vehicle emission standards more stringent than federal standards, and other states may adopt California’s standards. These Low-Emission Vehicle (LEV) standards control tailpipe emissions of criteria pollutants and greenhouse gasses from light-duty vehicles. Empty column	Southeast
Not Enacted	North Dakota Empty column Under Section 177 of the Clean Air Act, California has the unique authority to establish vehicle emission standards more stringent than federal standards, and other states may adopt California’s standards. These Low-Emission Vehicle (LEV) standards control tailpipe emissions of criteria pollutants and greenhouse gasses from light-duty vehicles. Empty column	Midwest
Not Enacted	Ohio Empty column Under Section 177 of the Clean Air Act, California has the unique authority to establish vehicle emission standards more stringent than federal standards, and other states may adopt California’s standards. These Low-Emission Vehicle (LEV) standards control tailpipe emissions of criteria pollutants and greenhouse gasses from light-duty vehicles. Empty column	Midwest
Not Enacted	Oklahoma Empty column Under Section 177 of the Clean Air Act, California has the unique authority to establish vehicle emission standards more stringent than federal standards, and other states may adopt California’s standards. These Low-Emission Vehicle (LEV) standards control tailpipe emissions of criteria pollutants and greenhouse gasses from light-duty vehicles. Empty column	Southwest
Enacted	Oregon Empty column Oregon LEV Program Establishing Policies Oregon Administrative Rules, Chapter 340, Division 257 (2021) Oregon LEV Program Empty column	West	2021
Enacted	Pennsylvania Empty column Pennsylvania Clean Vehicles Program Establishing Policies 25 Pa. Code Chapters 121 and 126 (2008) Pennsylvania Clean Vehicles Program Empty column	Northeast	2008
Enacted	Rhode Island Empty column Rhode Island LEV Program Establishing Policies 250-RICR-120-05-37 (2023) Empty column	Northeast	2023
Not Enacted	South Carolina Empty column Under Section 177 of the Clean Air Act, California has the unique authority to establish vehicle emission standards more stringent than federal standards, and other states may adopt California’s standards. These Low-Emission Vehicle (LEV) standards control tailpipe emissions of criteria pollutants and greenhouse gasses from light-duty vehicles. Empty column	Southeast
Not Enacted	South Dakota Empty column Under Section 177 of the Clean Air Act, California has the unique authority to establish vehicle emission standards more stringent than federal standards, and other states may adopt California’s standards. These Low-Emission Vehicle (LEV) standards control tailpipe emissions of criteria pollutants and greenhouse gasses from light-duty vehicles. Empty column	Midwest
Not Enacted	Tennessee Empty column Under Section 177 of the Clean Air Act, California has the unique authority to establish vehicle emission standards more stringent than federal standards, and other states may adopt California’s standards. These Low-Emission Vehicle (LEV) standards control tailpipe emissions of criteria pollutants and greenhouse gasses from light-duty vehicles. Empty column	Southeast
Not Enacted	Texas Empty column Under Section 177 of the Clean Air Act, California has the unique authority to establish vehicle emission standards more stringent than federal standards, and other states may adopt California’s standards. These Low-Emission Vehicle (LEV) standards control tailpipe emissions of criteria pollutants and greenhouse gasses from light-duty vehicles. Empty column	Southwest
Not Enacted	Utah Empty column Under Section 177 of the Clean Air Act, California has the unique authority to establish vehicle emission standards more stringent than federal standards, and other states may adopt California’s standards. These Low-Emission Vehicle (LEV) standards control tailpipe emissions of criteria pollutants and greenhouse gasses from light-duty vehicles. Empty column	West
Enacted	Vermont Empty column Vermont Low Emission Vehicles Program Establishing Policies Chapter 40 (2022) Vermont Low Emission Vehicles Program Empty column	Northeast	2022
Enacted	Virginia Empty column Virginia Clean Vehicles Establishing Policies HB 1965 (2021) Virginia Clean Vehicles (2024) Empty column	Southeast	2024
Enacted	Washington Empty column Washington Clean Cars Establishing Policies Chapter 173-423 WAC (2022) Washington Clean Cars Empty column	West	2022
Not Enacted	West Virginia Empty column Under Section 177 of the Clean Air Act, California has the unique authority to establish vehicle emission standards more stringent than federal standards, and other states may adopt California’s standards. These Low-Emission Vehicle (LEV) standards control tailpipe emissions of criteria pollutants and greenhouse gasses from light-duty vehicles. Empty column	Southeast
Not Enacted	Wisconsin Empty column Under Section 177 of the Clean Air Act, California has the unique authority to establish vehicle emission standards more stringent than federal standards, and other states may adopt California’s standards. These Low-Emission Vehicle (LEV) standards control tailpipe emissions of criteria pollutants and greenhouse gasses from light-duty vehicles. Empty column	Midwest
Not Enacted	Wyoming Empty column Under Section 177 of the Clean Air Act, California has the unique authority to establish vehicle emission standards more stringent than federal standards, and other states may adopt California’s standards. These Low-Emission Vehicle (LEV) standards control tailpipe emissions of criteria pollutants and greenhouse gasses from light-duty vehicles. Empty column	West

Low-Emission Vehicle (LEV) Standards

Key Resources

Section 177 States Regulation Dashboard

Clean Car Standards

Model Rules

LEV IV Regulation

Model States

California

Delaware

Maryland

New Mexico

Low-Emission Vehicle (LEV) Standards By State