California in the US to Ban Sales of New Internal Combustion Engine Vehicles by 2035

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kwon Jae-hee] The state of California in the United States has decided to ban the sale of new internal combustion engine vehicles by 2035, the New York Times (NYT) reported on the 23rd (local time).

According to the report, Governor Gavin Newsom of California ordered state regulatory authorities to establish a plan requiring automakers to gradually produce and sell more zero-emission passenger cars and pickup trucks powered by electricity or hydrogen.

Governor Newsom mandated that from this day forward, 100% of new vehicles sold in the state within 15 years must be zero-emission vehicles.

The plan also includes a goal that by 2025, all heavy trucks operating on roads within the state will be zero-emission wherever possible.

The NYT evaluated this as a dramatic measure to accelerate efforts to prevent climate change amid deadly and record-breaking wildfires.

While 15 countries including the United Kingdom, Denmark, and Norway have already announced plans to gradually reduce the sale of internal combustion engine vehicles over the coming decades, California is the first in the United States to do so.

Governor Newsom also referred to clean energy technologies such as electric vehicles as "the next major global industry."

However, this measure applies only to new car sales and does not prevent California residents from owning internal combustion engine vehicles or selling used cars after 2035.

The NYT reported that achieving zero emissions in California in a short period will be a considerable challenge.

Last year, only about 8% of the 2 million passenger cars sold in California were electric or hybrid vehicles. Meanwhile, transportation accounts for about 40% of the state's total greenhouse gas emissions.

California has already set and is pursuing a goal to have 5 million zero-emission vehicles operating on its roads by 2030.

A representative from the Participatory Scientists' Coalition, a social movement organization, stated that in addition to setting new standards targeting automakers, financial incentives to encourage people to purchase electric vehicles must be increased and charging infrastructure must be significantly expanded.