ZEV
Transportation & Travel abbreviation · Automotive
| Stands for | Zero-emission vehicle |
|---|---|
| Categories | Transportation & Travel |
ZEV stands for Zero-emission vehicle, an automotive abbreviation.
Regulatory category for vehicles with no tailpipe emissions, mainly battery electric and hydrogen fuel cell cars. California's ZEV program, begun in 1990, requires automakers to sell a rising share of such vehicles.
Example: Automakers earn ZEV credits for every electric car sold in California and other participating states.
Usage notes
California's Advanced Clean Cars II rule, adopted in 2022, called for 100 percent ZEV new-car sales by 2035, and about a dozen states adopted it. In 2025 Congress voted to revoke the federal waiver that allowed California to enforce the rule, leading to litigation. Automakers that fall short can buy credits from companies such as Tesla.
Related abbreviations
More automotive abbreviations
- 2WD – Two-wheel drive
- 3PMSF – Three-peak mountain snowflake
- 4WD – Four-wheel drive
- ABS – Anti-lock braking system
- ACC – Adaptive cruise control
- ADAS – Advanced driver-assistance systems
- ADM – Additional dealer markup
- AEB – Automatic emergency braking
- AMG – Aufrecht Melcher Großaspach
- AMT – Automated manual transmission
- AT – Automatic transmission
- ATF – Automatic transmission fluid