California Bans All New Gas-Powered Cars After 2035

California environmental board has voted to ban the sales of gas-powered cars after 2035, setting a possible standard for other states contemplating the mitigation of global warming.

“CA continues to lead the way,” wrote California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) on Twitter.

He added in a statement: “It’s ambitious, it’s innovative, it’s the action we must take if we’re serious about leaving this planet better off for future generations, California will continue to lead the revolution towards our zero-emission transportation future.”

The state continues to pioneer efforts in emission reduction. In the early 1990s, it supported automakers to create hybrid and electric cars through a zero-emission vehicle program. Today, 14 other states have implemented the same plan.

To facilitate the use of electric cars, Newsom will delegate $10 billion to vehicle incentives, public outreach and charging infrastructure. His office also announced that beginning in 2026, 35% of new vehicles would be mandated to be zero-emission. By 2028, the goal is to have 51% of all new car sales be zero emission. By 2028, the goal is 68% and finally, in 2035, that number would reach the 100% threshold.

California’s new law is especially significant due to the size of the state’s economy and car market. Car companies, including Ford and GM, have voiced support for the plan and made public plans to manufacture zero-emission vehicles.

The ban had been a long time coming. Newsom first signed executive orders requiring commercial trucks and vans to be zero emissions in California after 2045. The other one stated that all passenger vehicles sold need to be zero-emission by 2035. Both of these were signed in 2020.