California Banning The Sale Of New Gasoline-Powered Vehicles

Marking An Important Milestone In State's Fight Against Global Warming

California, the most populous state in the union and the epicentre of American auto culture, will forbid the sale of new gasoline-powered automobiles beginning in 2035, marking an important milestone in the state's fight against global warming. The California Air Resources Board's regulation, which goes into effect in 2026, would compel automakers to increase the manufacturing of cleaner vehicles until only zero-emission cars, pickup trucks, and SUVs are legal for sale in the state. The measure would be significant for the US and one of the first of its type globally. It has substantial ramifications for the US auto market given the size of California's economy and the potential that other states may pass laws along similar lines. California is prepared to set a 2035 deadline for all new cars, trucks, and SUVs sold in the state to be powered by electricity or hydrogen, in an ambitious step that will change the U.S. auto industry by expediting the shift to more environmentally friendly vehicles.

Board’s New Regulations for Zero-Emission Vehicles                              

The board's new regulations would also impose temporary quotas for zero-emission vehicles, with a focus on new models. 35% of new cars, SUVs, and compact pickups sold in California starting in 2026 must be zero-emission vehicles. It is anticipated that this quota will rise each year, reaching 51% of all new car sales in 2028, 68% in 2030, and 100% in 2035. The rules would also permit plug-in hybrids to make up 20% of sales of zero-emission vehicles. Zero-emission vehicles made up more than 16% of all new automobiles sold in California in 2022, up from 7.78% in 2020 and 12.41% in 2021. Because they wouldn't be impacted by the regulations, used cars might still be driven on the roads.

Governor Gavin Newsom’s Goals

After Governor Gavin Newsom announced a goal for 2020 to hasten the transition away from internal combustion engines, the vote was unanimous. In California, which has experienced record-breaking wildfires, droughts, and air pollution made worse by climate change, the transportation sector is the major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions. The state may use diesel generators or natural gas facilities as a backup when the system is overloaded, and Newsom is seeking to keep the state's final nuclear facility operating past its anticipated closure in 2025. Meanwhile, Newsom has promised to invest billions to increase sales of zero-emission vehicles, including by installing chargers in areas with a low income.

Plan to Hasten the Manufacture of Electric Vehicles

Plans to hasten the manufacture of electric vehicles have already been made public by most automakers. The business is concerned about becoming tied to precise adoption deadlines, and many consumers might not be ready to stop using petroleum. According to Edmunds automotive intelligence service, less than 6% of new car sales in the first half of this year were electric vehicles. Additionally, EV prices, which are already more expensive than gas-powered automobiles, are increasing as a result of the conflict in the Ukraine, supply chain issues, and increased demand for the metals used to create their rechargeable batteries. 

Virtually Ban the Sale of Gasoline Vehicles by 2035

A plan to virtually ban the sale of gas and diesel vehicles in the 27-nation EU by 2035 was supported by the European Parliament in June, and Canada has required the sale of zero-emission vehicles by that year. This week, the Chinese province of Hainan said that it would follow suit by 2030. Massachusetts, Washington, and New York are among the states in the U.S. that have established objectives to change their auto markets or have already vowed to abide by California's new regulations.    

Switching to Renewable Energy by 2045

California's ability to control its own air quality was withdrawn by the Trump administration in 2019, but it was reinstated early this year by the Biden administration. The rule, according to state officials, is essential to achieving the state's goal of switching to 100% renewable energy by 2045. They also noted that the decrease in emissions that would result would reduce the number of cardiopulmonary deaths and improve the health of people with asthma and other illnesses. The installation of sufficient charging stations throughout the state and having adequate access to the materials required to manufacture electric vehicle batteries are two problems that must be overcome in order to achieve the deadline.