This year marks the hottest on records as the temperature is 1.4° Celsius above the pre-industrial average. Facing the bad and fearing the worst-case scenario, governments are taking extreme measures to control and reduce the emissions. In 2020, California announced a gas car ban by 2035 and witnessing the pressing need of EVs to control emission, various other states are also following in its footsteps in banning gas cars production and sales in near future.
1. California
California has become the first state to declare a prohibition on manufacturing and sale of new gasoline-powered cars by 2035. The state aims to diminish the demand for fossil fuels from the transportation sector.
Governor Gavin Newsom declared on September 23, 2020, an Executive order N-79-20 on sales of new gas–powered cars and trucks by 2035, directs all new cars further sold will be zero-emission vehicles. The Governor stated that “This is the most impactful step our state can take to fight climate change. Our cars shouldn’t make wildfires worse – and create more days filled with smoky air. Cars shouldn’t melt glaciers or raise sea levels threatening our cherished beaches and coastlines.”
The state is implementing new regulations for oil companies and workers to transition to environmentally friendly alternatives. The target of this executive order for the gas car ban CA includes:
- To reduce 35% greenhouse gas emissions.
- Reduce nitrogen oxide emissions by improving vehicles, as cars emit approximately 80% of nitrogen oxide.
- As per the new regulations, citizens can freely own and sell old gasoline cars.
2. New Jersey
As stated by officials on 21-Nov-2023, New Jersey will be banning gas cars by 2035, including the sale of new gasoline-powered vehicles as part of their efforts to promote clean energy and reduce global warming.
Shawn LaTourette, the Commissioner of the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), declared recently the submission of the Advanced Clean Cars II, scheduled for adoption on 18-December-2023, New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection/Laws and Regulations page this rule aims to transition to 100% zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs) by the year 2035.
The new gas car ban NJ rule aiming for the 2035 gas car ban focuses on the following points:
- To increase the proportion of electric vehicles sold in New Jersey
- Cars and light-duty trucks manufacturers should meet an annual zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) requirement.
- There are no strict obligations on consumers or car dealers.
- It offers flexibility for manufacturers and charging infrastructure, along with companies fostering long-term investments.
- Conventional gas vehicles should comply with stricter emission regulations.
Governor Phil Murphy said in a statement, “By filing the Advanced Clean Cars II rule, New Jersey builds upon its standing as a national leader in climate action and its participation in the global Accelerating to Zero commitment, The steps we take today to lower emissions will improve air quality and mitigate climate impacts for generations to come”.
3. Connecticut
It has followed in California’s footsteps by announcing a ban on the sale of gasoline-powered cars this year. Governor Ned Lamont, alongside the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP), declared on 27-July-2023, that the State of Connecticut is put into action the Connecticut Clean Air Act – Public Act 22-25.
“Cars and trucks represent the biggest air pollution sector in the state, these regulations are moving in collaboration with commitments made by vehicle manufacturers to way to electrification”, said Governor Ned.
This regulation for gas car ban by 2035 allows Connecticut to adopt the same program as California’s.
- Manufacturers can take advantage of flexible credit and pooling banking options to enhance their financial flexibility.
- The state is committed to residents and business purchasers buying electric technology vehicles through incentives.
4. Massachusetts
Governer Charlie Baker signed a climate change Law earlier in September 2022, to prohibit Gasoline cars from the state. Massachusetts Law 2022 (Ch-179 & Section 46) bans the sale of new gas-powered vehicles which is effective from January 2035.
Larry Chretien of green energy consumers alliance stated, “The legislature is now requiring that and so now the next step is for the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection to write the regulations that will make it happen same as California’s rule”.
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5. New York
All new vehicles purchased in New York will need to be zero-emission models beginning in 2035, Governor Kathy Hochul announced on 29-September-2022. In a press conference Governor Hochul said, “We had to wait for California to take a step because there’s some federal requirement California had to go first and immediately and say now there’s nothing holding us back”.
“Our members are accelerating investments in electric vehicle chargers to serve that market, but different states setting technology mandates will not work,” said Doug Kantor, General at NACS.
For banning gas cars by 2035, the state chooses to follow and adopt regulations of the federal Clean Air Act and California’s Executive Order N-79-20.
New York intends to achieve the following goals:
- 35% of new cars must be zero-emission by 2026.
- By 2030, 68% of cars sold will be manufactured with zero emissions principles.
- 100% of cars to be sold by 2035 will be EVs.
- Financial help is available to assist in the construction of electric vehicle charging stations.
6. New Mexico
Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham declared, at a press conference on Jul 3, 2023, at Rio, that the state will embrace some of the strongest vehicle emissions regulations in the nation. She added, “These rules will speed up much-needed investment in New Mexico’s electric vehicle and clean hydrogen fuelling infrastructure and result in cleaner and healthier air for all New Mexicans to breathe”.
New Mexico had to now comply with the Advanced Clean Cars II Rule, which focuses on zero-emission vehicles.
The rule for gas car ban NM is applicable to automakers, and it does not prohibit the ownership or sale of any used or new gas vehicles. Also, it is not applicable on consumers and auto dealers. The following are the highlights of the rules:
- Vehicle manufacturers must deliver cleaner vehicles to New Mexicans
- Reduction of around 615 tons of smog forming particulate matter emissions (PM) and around 50,200 tons of nitrogen oxides
- Collectively aims to reduce more than 76 million metric tons of CO2 emissions, when fully implemented
7. Oregon
In August 2022, Oregon revealed its prohibition on gas-powered cars, aligning with a statewide initiative to reduce emissions. The members of the Oregon Environmental Quality Commission voted in favor of the Advanced Clean Cars II rule emission standards for Oregon gas car ban. They believe that these standards are crucial for achieving the state’s goal of reducing carbon pollution and addressing climate change.
With the gas car ban by 2035 as its goal, the state is encouraging motor cyclists to shift towards Electric Vehicles by giving rebates through Oregon Clean Vehicle Rebate Program of about $7,500 per vehicle.
Oregon created their own version of Advanced Clean Cars II Rules. Oregon Governor Kate Brown established the following targets.
- To have a minimum of 250,000 registered electric vehicles in the state by 2025.
- 50% reduction in emissions by 2035
- More than 90% of emissions reduction by 2050.
8. Rhode Island
Rhode Island is joining the trend, inspired by California, to gradually eliminate the sale of new gasoline-powered cars by 2035 as part of an effort to demolish air pollution and address climate change.
On 10-May-2023, Governer Dan McKee announced the decision to proceed with the regulations that are being followed by Massachusetts, and New York who has already adopted California Landmark Executive Order N-79-20.
“The Act on Climate put us on the clock for meeting major carbon reduction mandates, Implementing the Advanced Clean Cars II and Advanced Clean Trucks policy will help us do exactly that, minimize smog across the state,” said Gov. McKee.
The impact of the state regulations will result in:
- Light duty vehicle emissions are projected to reach 2.52 Metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (MMTCO₂e) annually by 2025.
- By 2030, ACCII regs would reduce emissions to 1.83 MMTCO₂e/year, compared to 2.16 MMTCO₂e/year without any action.
- Estimated Truck emissions in 2025 will be 1.14 MMTCO₂e/yr. By 2030, it is expected to drop to 1.09 MMTCO₂/year.
Under these regulations, Gasoline cars can still operate in Rhode Island and can be sold as used cars.
9. Washington
The Washington Department of Ecology suggested the regulations that would implicate all new light duty cars and trucks sold in Washington to be Zero-emission Vehicles (ZEV) by the year 2035.
In context of Washington gas car ban, in an announcement released on 7-September-2022, Governer Jay Inslee set aspirational goals for the Evergreen state by stating that “With growing numbers of consumers and manufacturers already making the switch, we’re making sure Washington is ready to seize the benefits of our EV future.”
In addition to mandating 100% ZEVs for new car sales by 2035, proposed regulations include plans to:
- Adopt CA regulations for increased ecological benefits contribute to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, improving air quality, and ultimately, creating a greener
- Introduce advanced incentive programs for ZEV sales in model for years 2023 and 2024.
- Require all fleet operators to submit a comprehensive report, once, detailing their fleet information.
10. Maryland
Governor Wes Moore of Maryland also proposed a plan to gas car ban in MD, with the goal of discontinuing their sale in the state by 2035, following California’s initiative. Governor Moore announced on March 13, 2023, that Maryland has adopted the multi-state Advanced Clean Cars II rule. This shows Maryland’s dedication to improving air quality and addressing climate change.
“Today, we’re talking about a major transformation that is going to define this administration—and that’s how we turn Maryland from a state powered by oil and gas to a state powered by clean energy. I am confident that the state of Maryland can achieve the clean energy revolution,” said Governor Moore.
According to the Maryland Department of Environment analysis, the state aims for a gas car ban by 2035.
- By 2030, there would be a reduction of 383,000 gas-powered vehicles sold, increasing to 1.68 million conventional vehicles by 2035.
- Over 2026-2040, more than 6000 tons of nitrogen oxide emissions will be reduced.
- 82 million metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions to be reduced from vehicles and power plants.
- By 2040, the reductions could bring health benefits of around $39.9 million per year in the state, mainly by decreasing respiratory and cardiovascular illnesses and workdays lost.
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11. Vermont
At the end of November 2022, the Vermont Agency of Natural Resources announced their set of regulations Advanced Clean Cars II to achieve a Net-Zero emission economy with reduced gas cars.
Julie Moore, secretary of the Vermont Agency of Natural Resources stated, “The clean truck standard recognizes that the technology isn’t there yet for heavier-duty applications the way it is for passenger vehicles, essentially, and so while it works to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, it doesn’t have the same sort of endpoint.”
For gas car ban VT, as per ACCII Economic Impact Statement Supplemental Information by 2030, vehicle classification will determine that a minimum of 30% of trucks must be sold as zero-emission.
12. Delaware
Delaware is currently in the process of drafting regulations to implement California’s Advanced Clean Car II standards, which involve gradually phasing out the sale of new small and medium-sized gas-powered vehicles over the next 12 years.
However, this plan to ban gas car DE has received significant backlash, with the majority expressing opposition to this initiative. The Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) has received thousands of comments and emails, mostly opposing the plan. As a result, the future of this initiative remains uncertain, as officials have not confirmed anything in any official documents.
13. Maine
The state of Maine has proposed new standards to increase the percentage of zero-emission vehicles sold within the state. The aim is to have 82% of all new cars sold in Maine be zero-emission vehicles by the year 2032, which will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 45% by the year 2030.
The manufacturers are required to follow the Advanced Clean Cars II of California, and if they fail to follow the rules, they will be penalized. However, some citizens of Maine have criticized the proposal due to the high electricity prices in the state. In response, the Maine government has released a fact sheet called Chapter 127-A: Advanced Clean Cars II Program to clarify the proposal to consumers and manufacturers.
14. Minnesota
Minnesota will follow California’s car regulations, which include increasing the availability of electric vehicles for sale and reducing carbon dioxide emissions. This decision was made after the Minnesota Auto Dealers’ lawsuit was rejected by the U.S. Supreme Court.
As per the announcement, starting in 2024, Minnesota auto dealers will need to have around 14,000 new electric vehicles available for sale in the state. This is roughly half the number of fully battery electric vehicles currently registered in Minnesota according to the latest data from the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency’s website.
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15. Nevada
Nevada is considering adopting California’s Gas Car Ban Policy, along with other states. Nevada may be one of the first states to implement stricter regulations, similar to California and New York, to reduce vehicle emissions and implement the 2035 gas car ban. Nevertheless, state leaders and industry insiders have expressed concerns regarding this matter.
The proposed policy aims to ban gas car by 2035 to encourage the use of electric vehicles, decrease dependence on fossil fuels, and promote a cleaner and more sustainable future. As these states play a crucial role in mitigating climate change, the automotive industry and consumers are preparing for significant changes in the way they drive.
