Industries
Cleantech

As California’s state capital, Greater Sacramento is at the nexus of global climate policy and a critical midpoint between the industry’s leading R&D and manufacturing.
2.5x
more concentrated cleantech growth capital than U.S. average
1,600
active cleantech patents
60%
of ZEV market is in Northern California
Sources: Brookings Institution, Capital Region Economic Assessment, JobsEQ 2024Q2, California Energy Commission
Greater Sacramento’s cleantech ecosystem
Manufacturing
R&D
Headquarters location
Public partner
Innovation asset
Sales office
Cleantech specialties
- Clean energy
- Clean materials
- Zero-emission vehicle and battery development
- Energy management

Why California
Leading cleantech development and adoption
Greater Sacramento is home to the capital of California, a leader in cleantech development and adoption. The state has set ambitious climate change goals and has a long history of driving market innovation for cleaner air, renewable energy and zero-emission transportation. California is home to the world’s largest renewable energy power plants, using advanced technologies to harvest solar, geothermal and wind power.
100%
carbon neutral by 2045
16%
of U.S. renewable jobs in CA
#1
state for ZEV exports with 60+ manufacturers
#1
ZEV market in the United States, 1 in every 4 cars
200K
jobs, EV industry forecast of # of jobs created in CA over next 20 years

Testing, deployment and financing support
Early stage
Cal EPIC Battery Hub:
The Cal EPIC Battery Hub is an industry collaborative and ramp-up factory that helps scale hard technology, clean mobility products from prototype to commercialization and develops technical labor pools for the ZEV industry. Focus areas include smart and shared mobility solutions, fueling and charging infrastructure and automated, connected and electric vehicles for on and off-highway use.
Mid-stage
CEC:
The California Energy Commission (CEC) has a $1.9 billion plan to expand zero-emission transportation infrastructure, including more than $51 million for emerging opportunities and ZEV workforce development. The CEC Clean Transportation Program invests up to $100 million annually to accelerate the development of clean, efficient, low-carbon technologies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
SMUD:
The Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD) is the sixth largest community-owned electric utility in the U.S. and has pledged to become net-zero carbon by 2030. SMUD works with companies to advance battery supply chain development and offers up to 45% more affordable power rates than the rest of California.
Late stage
iBank:
The California Infrastructure and Economic Development Bank (iBank) issues both tax-exempt and taxable bonds, leveraging state and federal funds. iBank can guarantee up to 80% of a loan in partnership with qualified lending institutions.
Additional cleantech assets and resources
CARB
The California Air Resources Board (CARB) is a world-renowned leader in clean policy and the first U.S. agency to implement an economy–wide carbon pricing mechanism. From requirements for clean cars and fuels to adopting innovative solutions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, California has pioneered a range of effective approaches that have set the standard for effective air and climate programs for the world.
UC Davis Institute of Transportation Studies
UC Davis is paving the way in future mobility research with two centers devoted to the industry. Top Hyundai engineers at the Hyundai Center of Excellence in Vehicle Dynamic Systems conduct research aimed at making Hyundai vehicles safer, better-handling and more fun to drive, with a focus on integrated vehicle control systems, suspension and steering control and advanced driver assistance systems. The university’s Plug-In Hybrid and Electric Vehicle Research Center works closely with California utilities, automakers, regulators and research institutions to develop a sustainable market for plug-in vehicles, analyzing consumer perspectives and vehicle use, charging infrastructure, fleet market development, batteries and the impact of human-machine interfaces on behavior.
H2FCP
The Hydrogen Fuel Cell Partnership (H2FCP) is a public-private collaboration focused on advancing the adoption of hydrogen fuel cell technology in transportation. It works to expand hydrogen infrastructure, promote fuel cell vehicle adoption and support policies that foster a sustainable, zero-emission transportation ecosystem across California.
CleanStart
CleanStart is a nonprofit designed to accelerate the development of clean technology ventures in Northern California. The organization empowers entrepreneurs with knowledge, capital and connections through networking events, promoting the region’s cleantech economy and hosting cleantech business classes.

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