California To Mandate Zero-Emission Sales Of New Vehicles By 2035

California Governor Gavin Newsom on Wednesday, September 23, signed an executive order which will move the state away from fossil fuels. The order will require sales of all new passenger vehicles to be zero-emission by 2035 and has additional provisions to eliminate emissions from the transportation sector, which is responsible for more than half of all of California’s carbon pollution, 80 percent of smog-forming pollution, and 95 percent of toxic diesel emissions.  

Under the terms of the order, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) will develop regulations to mandate that 100 percent of sales of new passenger cars and trucks in the state are zero-emission by 2035. If met, this goal is purported to achieve more than a 35 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions and an 80 percent improvement in oxides of nitrogen emissions statewide. In addition, CARB will develop regulations to mandate that all operations of medium- and heavy-duty vehicles, which would include motorhomes, shall be 100 percent zero emissions by 2045 where feasible.

To ensure needed infrastructure to support zero-emission vehicles, the order requires state agencies, in partnership with the private sector, to accelerate deployment of affordable fueling and charging options. It would also require support of new and used zero-emission vehicle markets to provide broad accessibility to zero-emission vehicles for all Californians. The executive order will not prevent Californians from owning gasoline-powered cars or motorhomes, or from selling them on the used car market.

Oregon Governor Kate Brown also announced that she will initiate action to emulate the California mandate in her state. As several other states tend to follow California’s lead on these issues, it is likely that additional states will announce similar plans in the upcoming future.