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GAS-powered cars are set to become a thing of the past after a landmark ban was given the green light.
The Environmental Protection Agency approved California’s unprecedented plan to end the sale of gasoline-only vehicles on Wednesday, December 18.
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Under the bill, the sale of gasoline-only vehicles will be banned in the Golden State by 2035.
The law was first announced in 2020 and requires that at least 80% of new cars sold be electric, and up to 20% plug-in hybrid models.
Michael Regan, Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), granted a waiver under the Clean Air Act to California to implement the law.
The rules have been adopted by 11 other states including Massachusetts, New York, and Oregon.
READ MORE ON GAS VS E.V.S
The EPA also granted a second waiver for California’s “Omnibus” low-nitrogen oxide regulation for heavy-duty highway and off-road vehicles and engines.
California’s rules require 35% of vehicles in the 2026 model year to be zero-emission, with that figure rising to 68% by 2030.
The law looks set to put California in direct conflict with the incoming Trump administration.
President-elect Donald Trump has pledged to rescind the EPA’s approval of California requiring more electric vehicles and tighter emissions standards.
However, it remains to be seen whether Trump’s influential backer, Elon Musk, owner of EV giant Tesla, will try to sway the Republican mind on this.
California’s Governor, Gavin Newsom, has vowed to sue the White House if it tries to stop his state’s new laws.
“Clean cars are here to stay,” the Democrat lawmaker said.
“Naysayers like President-elect Trump would prefer to side with the oil industry over consumers and American automakers, but California will continue fostering new innovations in the market.”
It comes after Governor Newsom proposed creating a new version of the state’s Clean Vehicle Rebate Program last month.
That followed Trump’s pledge to eliminate a $7,500 federal EV tax credit.
Electric vehicles vs gas
Pros and cons of EVs vs gasoline-powered vehicles
EV PROS:
- Convenient (when charging at home)
- Cheaper (depending on state or city)
- Cheaper maintenance, due to lack of mechanical parts
- Great for commuting
- Reduced CO2 emissions
- Federal and state tax incentives
- More performance (speed, handling – depending on the make and model)
EV CONS:
- Higher initial cost
- Higher insurance rates
- More frequent tire and brake replacement intervals
- Higher curb weight (thus causing more rapid wear on crucial parts)
- Low resale value
- High depreciation rates
- Lack of charging infrastructure
- Unreliable public charging (related: slow charging times)
- Poor winter and summer performance
- Lack of clean energy alternatives means more “dirty energy” from coal and nuclear sources
- Range anxiety
GAS PROS:
- Highly developed refueling infrastructure
- Fast refueling
- Cheaper insurance rates, depending on make, model, and configuration
- Established repair industry
- Lower initial cost
- Higher range before refueling, especially with hybrids
- Many manufacturers produce nearly emission-less engines
- Cheaper refueling, depending on the location
GAS CONS:
- Finite resource (related: heavy dependence on petroleum)
- Carbon emissions/greenhouse gases
- Higher repair costs
- Higher insurance rates, depending on make, model, and configuration
- Varying costs at the pump, depending on state, city, and county
Source: Car & Driver, Perch Energy, AutoWeek
Major automakers including General Motors, Volkswagen, and Toyota, say they expect Trump to revoke the waiver next year.
They claim California’s vehicle rules “will depress economic activity, increase costs and limit vehicle choice.”
In a statement, the group also warned the rebate would require car makers to sell fewer vehicles in the 12 affected states to comply.
“Most of the states that follow California are not ready for these requirements,” the statement read.
“Achieving the sales mandates under current market realities will take a miracle.
“There needs to be balance and some states should exit the program.”
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