Recently, the California Air Resources Board voted to adopt a new regulation. Decided to completely ban the sale of new gasoline-powered cars in California from 2035, when all new vehicles must be an electric or plug-in hybrid. But the Biden administration must still approve the new requirements before the plan can take effect.
Under this new California regulation, the percentage of sales of zero-emission vehicles must increase each year. By 2026, the rate of new cars, SUVs and small pickups sold in California must reach 35 percent of sales of zero-emission vehicles, increasing each year to 51 percent in 2028, 68 percent in 2030 and 100 percent in 2035. At the same time, the regulations only allow 20% of zero-emission vehicles to be plug-in hybrids. This provision will not affect the regular use of Californians who already own gasoline vehicles. Drivers will still be able to continue to buy and sell pre-owned gas-powered cars.
President Joe Biden has set a goal of making half of the nation’s new sales zero-emission by 2030. Auto industry analysts say the unprecedented move by California could help push the auto market to achieve that goal. Thirteen other states, including Oregon, New York and Colorado, typically follow California’s auto emissions standards, which are already the most stringent in the country. Washington Gov. Jay Inslee announced Wednesday that his state will set a similar goal of banning new gas-powered car sales by 2035.
Another goal of California’s plan is to reduce the cost of electric vehicles and make them more affordable. CARB also estimates that as more zero-emission vehicles become available, the price to consumers of electric cars will fall. Ensuring access to charging stations is also key to ramping up electric vehicle sales. Last year, the infrastructure bill passed by Congress provided $5 billion for states to build charges every 50 miles (80 kilometers) along interstate highways. Meanwhile, Newsom has pledged to spend billions to boost zero-emission vehicle sales by adding chargers in low-income neighborhoods.
This landmark California regulation will reshape the entire U.S. auto market, as at least 15 states have agreed to mirror California’s new rules for phasing out fuel vehicles. Some therefore believe that this could be the beginning of the end of the internal combustion engine in the United States.
