The push towards phasing out gasoline-powered vehicles and promoting electric cars is gaining momentum in the United States, with eight states adopting rules that only allow zero-emission vehicles to be sold starting from the 2035 model year. This move, known as the Advanced Clean Cars II rule, marks a significant step towards reducing emissions and combatting climate change.
California, Rhode Island, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, and Washington, along with the District of Columbia, have all committed to enforcing this rule. California, in particular, has set ambitious goals, aiming for 35% of new vehicle sales to emit zero emissions by 2027, with that number increasing to 68% by 2030. The California Air Resources Board states that the rule will accelerate the adoption of zero-emission vehicles and set stringent tailpipe emissions standards towards achieving 100% zero-emission vehicles.
Rhode Island is the latest state to join the movement towards phasing out gas-powered cars, following in the footsteps of other states that have also implemented variations of the Advanced Clean Cars II rule but have not yet committed to a complete ban on gas-powered vehicles by 2035. Delaware and Colorado, for example, have set targets for the sale of zero-emission vehicles by 2032, while New Mexico has announced its own annual sales targets for such vehicles.
The Biden administration, in collaboration with the White House and the Environmental Protection Agency, has finalized regulations aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions from gas-powered vehicles. These regulations will require automakers to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases, hydrocarbons, nitrogen oxides, and particulate matter from new vehicles, starting from the 2027 model year. Automakers will be required to increase production and sales of electric vehicles, plug-in hybrids, traditional hybrids, and fuel cell vehicles to meet these regulatory standards.
With the support of several states committed to promoting clean energy vehicles, the phase-out of gas-powered cars may become a reality in the near future. However, opponents of these regulations, including former President Trump, argue that such measures are economically burdensome and may not effectively address climate change concerns. As the debate continues, the future of gas-powered vehicles in America hangs in the balance, with potential implications for the automotive industry and the environment.
