Savannah Hulsey Pointer, FISM News
In a landmark move in the state’s fight against climate change, California, the most populous state in the union and the epicenter of American auto culture, will prohibit the sale of new gasoline-powered vehicles starting in 2035.
Beginning in 2026, the regulation will compel automakers to increase the production of cleaner vehicles. No one will be prohibited by the policy from owning, operating, or reselling conventional vehicles according to CNBC.
The new rule was issued by the California Air Resources Board on Thursday in a unanimous vote that followed Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) making a target to accelerate the state’s migration away from internal combustion engines.
The rule, according to California Air Resources Board Chair Liane Randolph, will result in a 50% reduction in pollution from cars and light trucks by 2040, making it one of the state’s most significant air-cleansing initiatives to date.
Republicans have spoken out against the policy with Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton calling the move “Yet another example of the destructive regulatory red-tape that has brought countless businesses and families from California to Texas. It’s utterly senseless for a state with routine energy shortages to limit its citizens to electric vehicles.”
Yet another example of the destructive regulatory red-tape that has brought countless businesses and families from California to Texas. It’s utterly senseless for a state with routine energy shortages to limit its citizens to electric vehicles. https://t.co/EBDxHztcY5
— Attorney General Ken Paxton (@KenPaxtonTX) August 24, 2022
Epoch Times opinion writer Thomas Del Beccaro pointed out potential problems, saying, “CA can’t keep the lights on but wants to force everyone into electric cars! California’s crazy car ban forces drivers to go green and could drive rational people out of state.”
Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R) had a particularly vigorous objection to the law due to his state’s law that requires them to follow California’s vehicle emissions rules, as The Associated Press reported.
Youngkin issued a statement about the decision: “In an effort to turn Virginia into California, Liberal politicians who previously ran our government sold Virginia out by subjecting Virginia drivers to California vehicle laws. Now, under that pact, Virginians will be forced to adopt the California law that prohibits the sale of gas and diesel-fueled vehicles. I am already at work to prevent this ridiculous edict from being forced on Virginians. California’s out-of-touch laws have no place in our commonwealth.”
My statement on untying Virginia from California’s EV rule: https://t.co/BWSQKSgN4V pic.twitter.com/MK3mNKPyBb
— Governor Glenn Youngkin (@GovernorVA) August 26, 2022
The Post Millenial’s Ian Miles Cheong called out California’s balance of priorities, saying, “California might refuse to deal with its problem with homeless people but at least it has tons of EV charging stations.”
California might refuse to deal with its problem with homeless people but at least it has tons of EV charging stations. pic.twitter.com/7tA740RUNo
— Ian Miles Cheong (@stillgray) August 27, 2022
Red State Columnist Buzz Patterson put his response succinctly in a tweet when he said, “California = ‘Buy an EV or else!’ Us = ‘Or else.’”
California = “Buy an EV or else!”
Us = “Or else.”
— Buzz Patterson (@BuzzPatterson) August 25, 2022
After 2035, the policy won’t prohibit people from continuing to drive gas-powered vehicles or from purchasing and reselling them on the used market, according to CNBC. By 2035, the rule will also permit automakers to sell up to 20% of gas-powered plug-in hybrids.
Beyond California, the decision is anticipated to have wide-ranging effects and probably pave the way for other states to follow suit. At least15 states, including Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and New York, have ratified California’s vehicle standards, which replaced earlier clean-car regulations.