California approves plan to ban sales of new gas-powered vehicles by 2035 – Green Fleet


A new task force will address possible challenges and mitigation strategies to the deployment of electric vehicle charging infrastructure.

Photo: David Worthington


California will now take its biggest step toward a zero-emission vehicle market after the California Air Resources Board (CARB) voted and passed the Advanced Clean Cars II (ACCII) proposal. The plan will require all new passenger cars, trucks and SUVs sold in California to be zero emissions by 2035.

While setting a new standard for vehicles sold in the future, the regulations will not affect used vehicles or prohibit drivers from using gas-powered vehicles.

The regulations follow Governor Gavin Newsom’s 2020 Executive Order N-79-20, which will require all new passenger vehicles sold in California to be zero emissions by 2035.

“California is once again leading the way by setting common-sense standards that will transition to the sale of all non-polluting cars and light trucks in the state,” said Kathy Harris, clean vehicle advocate at the Natural Resources Defense. Council. unique air pollution issues and risks to residents from climate-fueled wildfires, California desperately needs these rules to reduce tailpipe pollution.”

A CARB proposal indicates that there will be annual requirements for zero-emission vehicles. Using 2026 models as the starting point, CARB set the percentage of new ZEV and PHEV vehicle sales at 35% in the first year. This would be followed by an 8% increase the following year, passing the 50% mark in 2028 and reaching 94% in 2034, continuing an upward trend until reaching 100% zero-emission vehicles sold in 2035.

Automakers have already begun to recognize California’s authority to set vehicle emissions standards under federal law. “At Ford, tackling climate change is a strategic priority, and we’re proud of our partnership with California for tougher vehicle emissions standards,” Bob Holycross, Ford’s chief sustainability officer, said in a statement. a press release published before the vote on the plan.

EDF analysis found that if all new cars, SUVs and passenger trucks sold in California were zero emissions by 2035, ACC II could prevent more than 7,400 premature deaths in the state by 2035. 2050 and eliminate more than 1.2 billion tons of climate pollution in the same year.

CARB has estimated that the regulations will provide public health benefits of at least $12 billion over the life of the standards.

“Today, California has an opportunity to accelerate the clean air and public health protections that are so critical there and beyond,” said Paul G. Billings, National Vice President. Principal for Public Policy, American Lung Association. “California’s work to protect the public by shifting to clean, combustion-free technologies should be a model for the nation.”

Originally posted on Government Fleet

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