California’s following right in the footsteps of the European Union.
All around the world, the internal combustion engine (ICE) is nearing the end of its days, as legislation is passed to curtail its use. California is the latest, although the first in the US – it plans to phase out the sales of new light-duty ICE vehicles by 2035.
This promise isn’t new. Two years ago, Governor Gavin Newsom promised to phase out ICE by 2035, but now the plan has been fleshed out in greater detail. The run-up wouldn’t be instant; California would aim for 35% of the market to be made of EVs, plug-in hybrids, and fuel-cell hydrogen vehicles, by 2026. By 2030, the percentage would hit 68%, until reaching a full ban by 2035. California has strong state-level incentives, too – offering up to $7,000 in credits for new EVs costing less than $45,000. Also, since 17 other states follow California’s emission rules, this could mean that ICE vehicles will be banned in nearly half of the US by 2035.
The plan isn’t without its detractors, plenty of experts from all political spectrums take issue. Many are concerned that manufacturing won’t be able to keep up, and that many customers simply are not interested in giving up their gas vehicles. The pricing of EVs are still a lot higher than gas-powered equivalents, which is also a roadblock.
Still, ICE ban is up to the California Air Resources board, which hasn’t quite made the rumor official yet. It’s expected to pass very soon, however.
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