Governor Newsom Announces California Will Phase Out Gasoline-Powered Cars

In a sweeping action today, Governor Gavin Newsom released an Executive Order announcing that by 2035, all new cars and trucks sold in California will be zero-emissions. The transportation sector is responsible for more than half of the state's greenhouse gas emissions. Zero-emission vehicles are already California's second-largest global export market, and the state is poised to be at the center of meeting the growing global demand for electric vehicles, which are rapidly approaching price parity with conventional gas powered-vehicles.

“This is the most impactful step our state can take to fight climate change,” said Governor Newsom. “For too many decades, we have allowed cars to pollute the air that our children and families breathe. Californians shouldn’t have to worry if our cars are giving our kids asthma. Our cars shouldn’t make wildfires worse – and create more days filled with smoky air. Cars shouldn’t melt glaciers or raise sea levels threatening our cherished beaches and coastlines.”

The Executive Order directs the California Air Resources Board to develop the new regulations, which would achieve more than a 35 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions and an 80 percent improvement in oxides of nitrogen emissions from cars statewide. In addition, the Air Resources Board will develop regulations to mandate that all operations of medium- and heavy-duty vehicles shall be 100 percent zero emission by 2045 where feasible, with the mandate going into effect by 2035 for drayage trucks.

"Governor Newsom Announces California Will Phase Out Gasoline-Powered Cars & Drastically Reduce Demand for Fossil Fuel in California’s Fight Against Climate Change", Governor's Office