The largest state in the Union, which accounts for 10% of all vehicles purchased in the country, will require all new cars, SUVs and pickup trucks sold in the state to be zero-emission electric or hydrogen-powered by 2035, the Associated Press reports.
Endorsed by Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom, the policy passed by the California Air Resources Board will transform California highways–and California skies–by phasing out gas-powered engines all but large commercial vehicles. It will also spark a races to strengthen the state’s power grid and to increase the number of electrical power stations across the state.
“It’s going to be very hard getting to 100%,” said Daniel Sperling, a board member and founding director of the Institute of Transportation Studies at the University of California, Davis. “You can’t just wave your wand, you can’t just adopt a regulation — people actually have to buy them and use them.”
To address one of the chief barriers to people getting electric cars is price, so the Board recommended the state study ways to make electric cars affordable to all portions of the population. The law would not ban gas-powered vehicles from continuing to operate, and up to 20% of sales can be hybrid vehicles.
Cars account for 40% of the air pollution generated in California. By 2030, officials believe that 4% of the electricity used in the state will be to charge vehicles. Other states are expected to follow California’s lead to eliminate gas-powered passenger vehicles.