California will phase out sales of gasoline-powered vehicles by 2035 under a sweeping proposal approved Thursday, accelerating the transition to electric cars in the name of combating climate change despite widespread concerns about cost, feasibility and strain on the state’s shaky energy grid.
The California Air Resources Board (CARB) voted unanimously to approve the Advanced Clean Cars II Regulations, which require auto manufacturers to meet zero-emission sales targets starting with 35% by the 2026 model year, tripling last year’s figure of 12% in just four years.
The ambitious program, spurred by Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom’s 2020 executive order, culminates in 2035 by mandating that electric vehicles, plug-in hybrids and hydrogen-powered cars account for nearly 100% of passenger vehicles sold by automakers to dealerships.