The state of California intends to triple electric vehicle sales by 2026

Tesla cars are loaded onto carriers at the Tesla electric car plant in Fremont, Calif., in this May 13, 2020, file photo. California expects electric vehicle sales to triple in the next four years, reaching 35% of all new car purchases. Regulations passed by the California Air Resources Board on Tuesday, April 12, 2022, layout a plan for the state to meet California Gov. Gavin Newsom's ambitious goal of phasing out the sale of new gas-powered cars. The draft must go through a months-long state regulatory process before it can be approved by the US EPA. Image Credit: AP

California wants electric vehicle sales to increase to 35 percent of all new car purchases in the next four years, an aggressive goal set as part of the state's ambition to phase out gas-powered vehicles.

The California Air Resources Board proposal released Tuesday puts the state on focus to meet Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom's ambitious goal of phasing out the sale of new gas-powered cars by 2035. It kicks off a months-long state review process, and the plan must be approved by the US Environmental Protection Agency.

According to the state air board, emissions from gas-powered passenger vehicles account for nearly a quarter of the state's total greenhouse gas emissions—more than any other single source. California has some of the most aggressive climate policies in the country, and it is the first state to set a target for transitioning to zero-emission vehicles.

Wednesday, April 13, 2022, traffic rushes on the westbound U.S. 50 in Sacramento, Calif. California wants electric vehicle sales to treble to 35 percent of all new car purchases in the next four years. California Gov. Gavin Newsom's ambitious objective of phasing out the sale of new gas-powered cars is about to be realized thanks to regulations passed by the California Air Resources Board on Tuesday, April 12. The draft must go through a months-long state regulatory procedure before being approved by the US Environmental Protection Agency. ImageCredit: AP/Rich Pedroncelli

California counts for about 11% of all new passenger car sales in the United States, giving the state enormous clout in the auto industry. Californians would still be able to drive and sell gas-powered vehicles.

According to the rules, 35 % of car sales for the model year 2026 must be zero-emission vehicles, such as battery- or hydrogen-powered vehicles, or plug-in hybrids. According to the California Air Resources Board, this is a significant increase from 2021 when about 12% of all cars sold in the state were zero-emission vehicles.

By 2035, this rule will apply to 100 % sales. New gas-powered cars would not be outright banned; up to 20% of sales might be plug-in hybrids that run on a combination of battery and gas power by 2035, however the laws increase the distance such cars must go on battery power alone.

Ford and Toyota, among others, have deferred comments on the concept to an industry group called the Alliance for Automotive Innovation. According to the group, the industry is "committed to electrification and a net-zero carbon transportation future," but it has expressed worries about the quick increase in mandatory zero-emission vehicle sales.

"Automakers will definitely try to achieve whatever standards are eventually accepted," the group said. "However, even in California, these draft requirements will be very difficult to meet, and may not be possible in all of the states that now follow California's program."

California's current zero-emission car laws, which set sales and other criteria through the model year 2025 are followed by nine states including New York and Massachusetts. For future model years, five other states are expected to adopt California's requirements. If California's new proposal is approved by the federal government, the other states will have to decide whether to follow suit.

Washington Gov. Jay Inslee went further than California last month signing laws allowing all new cars registered in the state to be electric by 2030. New York has set a deadline of 2035.

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