A DIVIDED GREEN AMERICA

12 US States Are Planning to Ban the Sale of Gas-Powered Cars – CNET

At least 11 states are slated to join California in prohibiting the sale of new gasoline-powered cars by 2035. To curb tailpipe emissions and boost EV and plug-in hybrid sales, California is working toward banning the purchase of combustion cars. Eleven more US states announced plans to follow suit.

California is gearing up to ban the sale of new gas-powered cars — and now 11 more US states are playing follow the leader.

A measure approved by the California Air Resources Board back in August 2022 requires all new cars, SUVs and pickup trucks sold in the state to generate zero tailpipe emissions by 2035. The policy won’t take existing vehicles off the road, but automakers and car dealers will be restricted to selling electric vehicles and certain plug-in hybrids.

This story is part of CNET Zero, a series that chronicles the impact of climate change and explores what’s being done about the problem.

“Our cars shouldn’t make wildfires worse — and create more days filled with smoky air,” California Gov. Gavin Newsom said. “Cars shouldn’t melt glaciers or raise sea levels, threatening our cherished beaches and coastlines.”

California has been given the green light by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to ban the sale of new gas-powered cars and light trucks by 2035. This decision is part of California’s Advanced Clean Cars II Regulations (ACC II), which were approved in 2022. Here are some key points:

Phase-out Timeline: Starting in 2026, 35% of new cars and light trucks sold in California must be zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs). This percentage increases to 68% by 2030, and by 2035, only ZEVs can be sold as new.
Zero-Emission Vehicles: ZEVs include battery electric vehicles (BEVs), plug-in hybrids (with a range of 50 miles or more), and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles.
Nitrogen Oxide Emissions: California’s plan also includes reducing nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions from heavy-duty vehicles by 75% initially, followed by a 90% reduction later.
Other States: Several other states, including Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Washington, have announced plans to adopt California’s standards.

Governor Gavin Newsom has emphasized that this move is aimed at reducing air pollution and combating climate change. However, there is expected opposition from some political figures and industries.1.

California gets the green light to ban gas car sales by 2035.

Key takeaways

The Biden administration has granted California permission to ban the sale of new gasoline-powered cars by 2035, making it one of the most ambitious climate policies in the countrynytimes.com+2.
California’s phase-out will begin in 2026, requiring automakers to have 35% of their sales as zero-emission vehiclesnytimes.com+1.
This move is likely to face legal challenges and potential revocation by future administrationsmsn.com+1.

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The state’s Advanced Clean Cars II rule requires zero-emission vehicles to represent 35% of new cars and light trucks in lots by 2026, and then 68% by 2030, before reaching 100% in 2035.

When it comes to emissions, California is a leader: 11 other states that link their standards to California’s have also announced plans to prohibit the sale of new ICE (internal combustion engine) automobiles after 2035, and more could follow.

Read more: The Best EVs in America – Search

Which states are banning the sale of new gas-powered cars?

Under Section 177 of the Clean Air Act, states must either adhere to federal emissions standards or adopt California’s more stringent guidelines.

Seventeen states have historically followed California’s regulations, but so far only Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont and Washington have announced they’ll enforce the Advanced Clean Cars II rule and prohibit the sale of new gasoline-powered vehicles.

Delaware

Following a public hearing in April 2023, Shawn Garvin, the Secretary of the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control of Delaware, finalized regulations to adopt California’s regulations on the gas-powered vehicle ban. This served as an amendment to Delaware’s previously existing Low Emission Vehicle program, bringing it in line with the standards imposed by Section 177 of the Clean Air Act.

Maine

In May 2023, the Maine legislature received a civilian petition urging the regulatory body to adopt the Advanced Clean Cars II standards within the state. A public hearing was held in August 2023, and a rulemaking session was supposed to be held in December but was canceled because of bad weather.

Further rule making is set to occur this year, with the most recent hearing having been held in March. If the ACC II is adopted in Maine, the state will be instituting California’s gas-powered car ban in 2028.

Maryland

Gov. Wes Moore announced in March 2023 that Maryland would be the seventh state to ban gas-powered cars by 2035. Moore cited public health as his reason for the adoption of the Advanced Clean Cars II regulations, saying it would save the state nearly $40 million annually in lost productivity from respiratory and cardiovascular illness.

Massachusetts

One of the first states to adopt California’s Advanced Clean Cars II legislation, Massachusetts has a trigger law to automatically adopt any emissions policy enacted by the Golden State. As such, Massachusetts has planned to ban the sale of gas-powered vehicles by 2035 since the inception of the policy in August 2022.

New Jersey

New Jersey was the sixth state that has used Section 177 of the Clean Air Act to ban gas-powered car sales by 2035. In March 2023, Gov. Phil Murphy signed executive orders initiating the legislative process to adopt the stricter ICE vehicle regulations. “I am proud to announce that we’re accelerating New Jersey’s goal of reaching a 100% clean energy future ahead by 15 years — from 2050 to 2035,” Murphy said.

New York

New York was the fourth state to begin mobilizing to ban the sale of gas-powered vehicles by 2035, with Gov. Kathy Hochul beginning a legislative effort in September 2022. The governor ordered officials to draft regulations that would “require all new passenger cars, pickup trucks and SUVs sold in New York State to be zero emissions by 2035.” The law was passed in the summer of 2023.

Oregon

Oregon’s Environmental Quality Commission voted in December 2022 to phase out the sale of gas-powered vehicles within the state by 2035. The state’s legislative body followed behind California, Massachusetts, Washington and New York to become the fifth state to enact the Advanced Clean Cars II regulations.

Pennsylvania

In accordance with the state’s adherence to California’s emissions legislation, Pennsylvania lawmakers have also agreed to adopt the Advanced Clean Cars II regulations. The state hasn’t formally released information about what any state-specific ACC II rules might look like as of yet.

Rhode Island

The eighth state to utilize Section 177 of the Clean Air Act to ban gas-powered vehicles, Rhode Island put the Advanced Clean Cars II regulations into effect in May 2023. Gov. Dan McKee was adamant that the new policy would cut back on smog and work toward environmental justice within the state. “The Act on Climate put us on the clock for meeting major carbon reduction mandates, and it’s clear to me that Rhode Island will only meet the mandates by addressing the transportation sector head-on,” McKee said.

Vermont

In November 2022, Vermont lawmakers approved changes to clean-car requirements that would require new cars sold in the state to be zero-emission vehicles by 2030, WCAX reported. Secretary of State Sarah Copeland Hanzas, who must approve the policy, did not respond to a request for comment.

Washington

The other state with a trigger law to automatically adopt California’s emissions regulations, Washington adopted the Advanced Clean Cars II regulations at the same time Massachusetts did. Both states immediately followed up on the initial legislation passed by California in August 2022.

Other states that usually follow California regulations

Colorado

Colorado has adopted California’s zero-emission policies in the past, but Gov. Jared Polis has rejected the idea of a ban. Instead, state agencies will focus on making EVs more affordable and practical. Announced in March 2023, the Colorado Electric Vehicle plan sets a goal of EVs accounting for at least 80% of new car sales by 2032, compared with slightly more than 10% in 2022.

Connecticut

Though Connecticut seemed poised to accept California’s zero-emission regulations, and even ended up for a brief time on the list of states adopting Section 177 of the Clean Air Act to end sales on gas-powered vehicles, infighting from state lawmakers has killed any plans to go through with the ban — at least for now. A special session held earlier this year was supposed to come to another conclusion on the legislation, but no bipartisan solution was decided on.

Democratic lawmakers in the state have since abandoned the adoption of a gas-powered vehicle ban and are refocusing on other infrastructure legislation.

Virginia

In Virginia, the outlook is more muddled: Republican lawmakers are fighting to decouple the state from California’s emissions rules, but their last bill was defeated in February. Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin has still vowed to overturn what he called a “ridiculous edict,” according to WTOP News.

Minnesota

Though Minnesota’s 2021 Clean Car Rule links it to California’s standards, it doesn’t automatically trigger a ban on ICE vehicles. State Rep. Jamie Long, chair of the state Climate and Energy Finance and Policy Committee, said the likelihood of such a prohibition “is probably low,” MinnPost reported. Car dealers in the state sued to get the Clean Car Rule struck down in January but failed. Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, meanwhile, has called for 20% of cars on Minnesota roads to be electric by 2030, up from 1% today.

With the way Biden ran this country in the last four years, why would 10 states Washington, Oregon, Hawaii, Alaska, Arkansas, Indiana, Kansas, Louisiana, Mississippi & Wyoming have less votes for Trump then he gained in 2020. And these Cities New York City 75%, Philadelphia 78.8%, Newark N.J. 71.7% Boston 75%, Baltimore 75%, Atlanta 75%, Detroit/Ann Arbor 65%, Minneapolis 70.2%, Chicago 70.3%, Denver 76.7% Los Angeles 64.8%, San Francisco 80%, Portland 78.7% and Seattle 73.6%…

And the Cities in North Carolina at 63%

Robert The Builder on X: “Bodies of family found miles apart. After January 20th 2025 Do you Think NC should be a priority. https://t.co/QvXkyQWdp5” / X

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