Eight more states planning to ban gas-powered new vehicles starting with 2035

Two years ago, the US state of California passed a new law requiring all new passenger vehicles - cars, SUVs and pickup trucks - sold in the state to have zero tailpipe emissions by 2035.

That doesn't mean existing vehicles are disappearing from the roads. But automakers and dealers will be required to limit sales of electric vehicles and certain plug-in hybrids. So no one will be prevented from driving their current car or buying a used car. In addition, any Californian will be able to buy a car with an internal combustion engine in another state and use it in California after registering with the local authority.

The California legislature's decision was motivated by environmental considerations. Exhaust emissions are to blame for the forest fires that devastate large swathes of California every year. In addition, the California legislature points out, air quality is below critical because of air pollution, and atmospheric noxins are leading to global warming and melting glaciers, with rising water levels threatening California's coastline.

The Clean Cars Act II https://ww2.arb.ca.gov/our-work/programs/advanced-clean-cars-program/advanced-clean-cars-ii calls for zero-emission cars to account for 35 percent of new cars sold by 2026, rising to 68 percent by 2030, and by 2035, with no internal combustion-engined cars on California roads.

Initially, 11 states announced they would follow California's lead. Meanwhile, only eight remain: Delaware, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island and Washington.