California Expected To Ban New Gas-Only Car Sales By 2035

Topline

California’s Air Resources Board on Thursday is expected to vote to approve a plan that will ban the sale of new gasoline-powered vehicles in the state by 2035, making it the first state to do so, with a dozen others that could follow in its footsteps.

Key Facts

California Air Resources Board member Daniel Sperling told CNN Wednesday he was “99.9% confident” the measure would pass.

The proposal is aimed at gradually ramping up zero-emission car sales, including with a requirement that 35% of new vehicles sold in 2026 be zero-emission, with that share increasing each year and culminating in a full ban on new sales of gasoline-powered vehicles in 2035.

The new requirements—which don’t apply to used cars—could spur the federal government as well as more than a dozen states to adopt similar rules, as many follow California’s auto emission regulations, according to the New York Times.

Surprising Fact

Less than 1% of the 250 million SUVs, cars and small trucks in use are electric vehicles, according to Reuters. About 45% of new car sales could be electric by 2035, according to the Reuters analysis.

Key Background

California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) in 2020 issued an executive order to phase out the sale of gasoline-powered cars to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the transportation sector. The order required the California Air Resources Board to develop regulations to do so. Several major automakers have pledged to increase sales and manufacturing of zero-emission cars to help mitigate climate change, though they have also called on the federal government to help make sure there is adequate demand and supplies, such as critical minerals required to make electric vehicles, to do so. California’s expected ban comes a week after President Joe Biden signed a major climate and health care package, the Inflation Reduction Act, which includes $369 billion in spending on climate and energy programs as well as tax credits for new and used electric vehicle purchases. The Biden administration hopes it will cut greenhouse gas emissions by 40% by 2030. California’s proposed plan also comes after the Biden administration allowed the state to impose its own vehicle emission standards after the Trump administration revoked the Clean Air Act waiver that allowed California to do so.

What To Watch For

The California plan may help guide a new federal standard that the Environmental Protection Agency plans to introduce next year to push manufacturers to sell more electric vehicles, according to the Times.

Further Reading

California to Ban the Sale of New Gasoline Cars (New York Times)

California Banning Sales Of New Gasoline Cars By 2035 (F0rbes)

Clean-car rules: California unveils proposed measure to ban new gasoline-fueled cars (CalMatters)

California expected to ban new gas car sales by 2035, with Thursday vote (CNN)