California is preparing to ban the sale of new gas-powered cars, with other states following suit. This initiative is part of CNET Zero, which looks at the impact of climate change and the efforts being made to combat it. The California Air Resources Board approved a measure in August 2022 that mandates all new cars, SUVs, and pickup trucks sold in the state to produce zero tailpipe emissions by 2035. This policy will not remove existing vehicles from the road, but it will restrict automakers and car dealers to selling electric vehicles and certain plug-in hybrids.
California Governor Gavin Newsom stated, “Our cars shouldn’t contribute to wildfires or worsen smoky air. They shouldn’t be causing glaciers to melt or sea levels to rise, endangering our beloved beaches and coastlines.”
The state’s Advanced Clean Cars II rule requires that zero-emission vehicles make up 35% of new cars and light trucks by 2026, increasing to 68% by 2030 and reaching 100% by 2035. Other states that align their standards with California have also announced plans to ban the sale of new gas-powered vehicles after 2035.
States such as Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Washington have all committed to enforcing the Advanced Clean Cars II rule and prohibiting the sale of new gasoline-powered vehicles.
The text goes on to detail the specific actions and timelines of each state in adopting the ban on gas-powered vehicles, as well as the efforts of other states that have not yet committed to such regulations. It also addresses the availability of used gas-powered vehicles and the inclusion of medium- and heavy-duty vehicles in the ban.