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Originally published on NRDC Expert Blog.
By Miles Muller, Attorney, Climate & Clean Energy Program

State legislators and Governor Newsom just signed a historic California budget that includes unprecedented levels of investment in clean transportation. The new funding will provide significant support for critical zero-emission vehicle and infrastructure programs, unlocking billions in public health, climate, and jobs benefits for all Californians.

This budget comes as the result of months of significant advocacy by a coalition of more than fifty climate, equity, health, and labor organizations to expand investments in California’s most effective programs for clean air, improved health, environmental justice, and a stable climate. The final budget includes more than $3.5 billion for zero-emission vehicles and infrastructure, including:

  • $1.4 billion for electrifying medium- and heavy-duty vehicles on California roads to clean the air, including 3,000 zero-emission drayage trucks, school buses, and transit buses;
  • $415 million to deploy the necessary charging infrastructure for those medium- and heavy-duty vehicles;
  • $400 million for equity-focused transportation projects like Clean Cars 4 All, which enables low-income Californians to scrap their old car and replace it with a new or used option that is less polluting and more efficient;
  • $500 million for the California Energy Commission’s (CEC) Clean Transportation Program deploying charging infrastructure for light-, medium-, and heavy-duty vehicles;
  • $525 million for consumer rebates for new ZEV purchases through the Clean Vehicle Rebate Project; and
  • $250 million for zero-emission manufacturing.

This money is on top of the budget’s $5.4 billion Transportation Infrastructure Plan, which includes $500 million for active transportation in addition to funding for improving the state’s streets, roads, and rails.

Securing an Equitable Clean Transportation Future in CA

Moving forward, the Legislature needs to strengthen the state’s commitment to equity to ensure all Californians have access to clean transportation. Fortunately, the Legislature has an opportunity to do exactly that with two policy bills this year — SB 726 (L. Gonzalez) and AB 1389 (Reyes) — that would codify equity requirements for the CEC’s Clean Transportation Program and require that 50% of those investments go towards the primary benefit of people residing in low-income and disadvantaged communities. The Legislature should advance these bills to ensure even greater investment in California’s equitable clean transportation future.

Thanks in large part to the Charge Ahead California Initiative — established by Senate Bill 1275 in 2014, making it state policy to electrify the transportation sector in a manner that ensures all Californians are able to realize the benefits electric vehicles can provide — California already has a rich portfolio of well-utilized equity-focused programs designed to increase access to zero-emission vehicles and mobility in disadvantaged and low-income communities. These programs are complemented by critical zero-emission medium- and heavy-duty vehicle programs that displace toxic diesel emissions that disproportionately impact low-income and disadvantaged communities that often live near freeways, ports, railyards, warehouses and other facilities.

These programs have done a lot to accelerate electric vehicle adoption in the state, especially in low-income and underserved communities, but there’s still a ways to go to meet the state’s long-term climate, equity, and air quality goals. According to a recent CEC report, the state is currently falling behind on its goal of deploying the 250,000 public and shared charging stations needed to support estimated EV adoption in 2025, and faces a gap of roughly one million chargers from what will be needed to support its 2035 goals. The report concludes that significant and continued state, local, utility, and private funding will be necessary to meet these goals.

California Energy Commission, Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure Assessment

The 2021–2022 budget will go a long way in putting the state on a path to achieving its goals, but more still needs to be done going forward to fund critical equity programs and help underserved communities realize the benefits of clean mobility. While advocates had been pushing for $500 million in guaranteed funding for these critical transportation equity programs, only $150 million of the budget’s $400 million package is guaranteed, and the rest will have to be authorized by the Legislature in future years.


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Genesis GV90 spotted in the US, offering a sneak peek at its ultra-luxe interior

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Genesis GV90 spotted in the US, offering a sneak peek at its ultra-luxe interior

The GV90 is set to raise the bar as the most luxurious Genesis SUV. If you thought the GV80 was impressive, wait until you see this larger, three-row electric flagship. After it was recently spotted in the US, we are getting our first glimpse of the ultra-luxe Genesis GV90’s interior.

First look at the Genesis GV90 interior in the US

Genesis previewed the flagship SUV at the NY Auto Show last March with the Neolun concept, which the brand refers to as its “ultra-luxe vision of luxury SUVs.”

It’s not only stunning on the outside, but the full-size SUV will introduce advanced new tech and upscale design features for “a whole new level of luxury.”

Drawing inspiration from Korean aesthetics, the interior is fit for royalty. The concept featured a “Royal Indigo” cashmere and a vintage-like “Purple Silk” leather. Genesis topped it off with dark-colored wood accents for an even more luxurious feel.

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After it was spotted in public in California, it looks like the interior of the Genesis GV90 will retain some elements from the concept.

The new photos, courtesy of The Korean Car Blog, offer a sneak peek at what we can expect when it arrives in production form.

You’ll notice that the color scheme remains largely the same, with purple accents on the door trim, seats, and other interior elements.

The GV90 will serve as the luxury brand’s tech beacon, featuring Hyundai Motor’s latest technology and software. A 24″ infotainment system will sit at the center with navigation and voice command recognition.

It will also feature a 3D audio experience with tweeters, midrange speakers, woofers, and subwoofers strategically placed, creating an immersive audio experience. The iconic Crystal Sphere is not only a centerpiece, but it will also serve as a hi-fi tweeter speaker.

According to Luc Donckerwolke, Genesis’ chief creative officer, the concept is “the epitome of timeless design and sophisticated craftsmanship.” Do you agree?

With GV90 models now in public testing, Genesis appears to be on track to launch the flagship SUV in mid-2026. Earlier this month, we got a closer look at the exterior after it was caught testing at the Nürburgring with less camo.

More details, including prices and final specs, will be revealed closer to launch. However, it is expected to ride on Hyundai’s new eM platform, which will replace its current E-GMP.

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SEC drops Binance lawsuit, ending one of last remaining crypto enforcement actions

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SEC drops Binance lawsuit, ending one of last remaining crypto enforcement actions

Jakub Porzycki | Nurphoto | Getty Images

The SEC has formally dropped its lawsuit against Binance and founder Changpeng Zhao, bringing an end to one of the last remaining crypto enforcement actions brought by the agency.

In a Thursday filing in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, lawyers for the SEC and Binance jointly moved to dismiss the case, which was first brought in June 2023.

The original complaint accused the crypto exchange of violations including illegally serving U.S. users, inflating trading volumes, and commingling customer funds. The agency also claimed that Binance unlawfully enabled trading in crypto assets it viewed as unregistered securities, an argument that was also used against Coinbase, Kraken, and others under prior SEC leadership.

The dismissal marks a symbolic end to one of the most aggressive crypto crackdowns in U.S. history, and comes as the Trump administration makes a concerted effort to prove that it’s an ally to the industry. The Justice Department has already shut down its crypto enforcement team, and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission is now set to be led by a venture capitalist with close ties to crypto.

Binance is the largest digital assets exchange in the world by volume. It recently forged ties with World Liberty Financial, a project that aspires to be a crypto bank and funnels 75% of profits to entities linked to the Trump family. Binance is taking a $2 billion investment from the Emirati state fund MGX entirely in USD1, a stablecoin newly launched by the World Liberty team.

Binance and World Liberty are also deepening their footprint in Pakistan, where WLF co-founder Zack Witkoff, the son of U.S. Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff, recently struck a deal with the government. Around the same time, Zhao was appointed as an adviser to Pakistan’s newly formed Crypto Council, a state-backed body tasked with shaping national digital asset policy.

Binance CEO Richard Teng discusses U.S. crypto adoption at the Digital Asset Summit

The SEC was the last major regulator still pursuing Binance after a $4.3 billion settlement with the U.S. government last year that saw Zhao plead guilty and step down as CEO, while avoiding jail time and retaining much of his wealth.

The agency’s motion to dismiss was granted with prejudice, meaning the SEC can’t refile the same claims.

Under the SEC’s new leadership, the agency has shifted away from enforcement and toward engagement and regulatory rollback. It’s held a series of roundtables led by Commissioner Hester Peirce and newly appointed Chair Paul Atkins.

The SEC has also begun dismantling key rules that once kept Wall Street on the sidelines. In January, it scrapped Staff Accounting Bulletin 121 — a controversial directive issued under former Chair Gary Gensler that forced banks to count crypto holdings as liabilities on their balance sheets. Peirce celebrated the reversal on X, posting, “Bye, bye SAB 121! It’s not been fun.”

In February, the agency followed up with new guidance indicating that it doesn’t view most meme coins as securities under federal law, providing a boon to the Trump family.

President Trump and several of his family members are closely tied to crypto ventures, including the $TRUMP token, which launched just before his January inauguration. The coin currently boasts a market cap of about $2.4 billion, with its website claiming that 80% of the supply is held by the Trump Organization and affiliated entities.

WATCH: President Trump holds controversial private dinner for top investors in his meme coin

President Trump holds controversial private dinner for top investors in his meme coin

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GM takes over as the ‘#1 EV seller’ in Canada

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GM takes over as the '#1 EV seller' in Canada

After its electric vehicle sales more than doubled in the first quarter, GM claims it’s now the “#1 EV seller” in Canada. With a full lineup of 13 all-electric vehicles, GM sold more EVs than Tesla in Canada.

GM tops Tesla to become the #1 EV seller in Canada in Q1

GM’s electric vehicle sales in Canada surged by 252% in the first three months of 2025, with new Chevy and Cadillac models driving growth.

The Chevy Equinox EV led the way with 1,892 units sold, followed by the Silverado EV with 894 units. Cadillac’s new entry-level OPTIQ had a strong showing, with 615 models sold, nearly matching the 720 units sold of its first EV, the LYRIQ.

Even the GMC Hummer EV Pickup and SUV saw more demand, with sales up 232% (186) and 88% (252), respectively.

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Combined, the automaker sold a total of 5,750 EVs in Q1. According to GM, this was enough to top Tesla to become “the #1 EV seller in Canada.”

GM Canada recently posted on social media, saying, “We claimed the top spot as Canada’s #1 EV seller!” The news comes as registration data show that Tesla registered just 524 vehicles in Quebec in Q1, down 87% from the same period last year.

The steep decline in sales comes after the Quebec government paused federal EV incentives from February to April 1st. Canada also paused its iZEV rebate program in January, which offered up to $5,000 on the purchase or lease of an EV. Like the US federal EV Tax credit, it was designed to be used at the point of sale to help lower prices.

GM-#1-EV-seller-Canada
Chevy Equinox EV LT (Source: GM)

GM also registered significantly fewer Equinox and Blazer EVs in Quebec during the quarter. Despite higher year-over-year (YOY) sales, GM’s electric vehicle (EV) sales were down considerably from the over 15,000 in Q4 2024.

GM-#1-EV-seller-Canada
Cadillac OPTIQ EV (Source: GM)

The American automaker will continue to expand its lineup with the launch of the new Cadillac Escalade IQL, Lyriq-V, and Visiq.

By the end of the year, we also expect to get our first look at the next-gen Chevy Bolt EV with deliveries starting in 2026.

Electrek’s Take

GM is building momentum with new models rolling out, which now cover nearly every segment. In the US, GM surpassed Ford and Hyundai Motor, including Kia, to become the second-largest seller of EVs last year.

Chevy is now the fastest-growing EV brand in the US. The new electric Equinox, or “America’s most affordable 315+ miles range EV,” as GM calls it, is quickly becoming a top seller. The Blazer and Silverado EVs are also gaining traction.

Cadillac reported its best first quarter since 2008, with retail sales increasing by 21%. After delivering the first models in Q1, the entry-level OPTIQ is off to an impressive start with 1,716 units sold.

GM will top off its US electric vehicle lineup with the next-gen 2026 Chevy Bolt EV due out later this year or in early 2026.

Source: GM Authority, GM Canada

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