Following a similar decision in the European Union, the US state of California has announced that it will be phasing out sales of new diesel and gasoline vehicles by 2035.
The California Air Resources Board (CARB) has long required automakers to adhere to stricter emission standards than those imposed by the US federal government. But on Thursday, he voted in favor of the new Advanced Clean Cars II rules, challenging the auto industry.
Currently, about 16% of new cars and light trucks sold in California are classified as Zero Emission Vehicles (ZEV). According to the new regulation, this share will rise to 35% by 2026, 51% by 2028, 76% by 2031 and 100% by 2035, after which sales of passenger cars with internal combustion engines and light trucks will be completely banned.
However, manufacturers of cars with internal combustion engines still left some freedom. The definition of ZEV itself includes not only battery cars (100% electric vehicles), but also plug-in hybrids. Provided that they can travel more than 50 miles (80 km) on a single charge and if the sales of such vehicles will not exceed 20% of the total number of ZEVs sold.
CARB expects this drastic move to cut vehicle emissions by 50% in 2040, paving the way for zero emissions by 2050. The council expects improved air quality to save about US$13 billion in health care costs.
Source: New Atlas