California intends to prohibit the sale of new gasoline-powered automobiles. The California Air Resources Board declared in a statement that the board hopes to make it happen by 2035.
Beginning in 2026, California will require that 35% of new vehicles be either partially or entirely electric.
Plug-in hybrids will be treated the same as fully electric cars (EVs) if they have an electric-only range of 70 miles or more and meet all other EV criteria.
“This is historic. This is the most significant action taken by CARB in the last 30 years. It is critical not only for California, but also for the country and the world,” California Air Resources Board member Daniel Sperling told CNN.
According to the New York Times, the new laws may persuade the federal government and more than a dozen states to follow suit.
Other countries, such as Sweden, Canada, and Denmark, have previously experienced a similar surge.
According to Sperling, the laws have gotten remarkably little criticism, and automakers are backing down on the issue. He claimed that automobile manufacturers are also working internally on zero-emission automobiles.
Several automakers, including Ford and General Motors, have declared ambitious plans to transition to zero-emission cars, trucks, and SUVs.
“The car firms observe what’s going on in China and Europe,” Sperling added. “Many of them have already announced plans to transition entirely to electric vehicles.”
The spurt’s context
According to Forbes, California Governor Gavin Newsom (D) 2020 issued an executive order to phase out gasoline-powered car sales in order to minimize greenhouse gas emissions from the transportation sector. The order mandated that the California Air Resources Board create regulations.
Many major automakers have vowed to enhance sales by producing low/zero-emission automobiles. They have, however, asked the federal government to assist in ensuring adequate demand and supplies, such as essential minerals required to manufacture electric vehicles.
California’s likely ban comes only a week after President Joe Biden signed the Inflation Reduction Act, which includes $369 billion in climate and energy expenditures and tax credits for new and used electric vehicle purchases.
The Biden administration wants to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 40% by 2030.
What is CARB’s responsibility?
CARB is responsible for safeguarding the public from the detrimental impacts of air pollution as well as establishing programs and activities to combat climate change. California has pioneered a variety of practical measures that have set the bar for effective air and climate programs for the nation and the world, from mandates for clean automobiles and fuels to adopting creative solutions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
CARB’s objective is to promote and safeguard human health, welfare, and ecological resources by successfully decreasing air pollution while recognizing and taking into account the economic implications. CARB is the principal agency for climate change initiatives and is responsible for overseeing all air pollution control efforts in California in order to achieve and maintain health-based air quality requirements.