The state is setting strict limits to try to eliminate carbon dioxide emissions from transportation, the sector of the American economy that generates the most greenhouse gases.
While sales are still skewed toward affluent buyers, more people are choosing electric vehicles to save money.
A new rule aiming to reduce emissions could set off a major shift in the automobile industry.
Critics of the state’s push to end reliance on gas-powered vehicles seized on the news. But environmentalists said the extreme weather underscored the need for the E.V. transition.
Critics of the state’s push to end reliance on gas-powered vehicles seized on the news. But environmentalists said the extreme weather underscored the need for the E.V. transition.
Enforcement could be complex and legal challenges are likely. But ultimately, experts say, success or failure will depend on steady supply and buyers’ appetite.
The move to phase out gasoline-powered cars, with other states expected to follow, matches automakers’ plans. The challenge will be making it happen.
The decision, to take effect by 2035, will very likely speed a wider transition to electric vehicles because many other states follow California’s standards.
If adopted, the new measures would make a dent in the state’s greenhouse gas emissions and set the bar for the broader auto industry.
As gas prices surge, here are some tips for shopping for electric vehicles.
