California Approves Plan for 100% EV Sales – 17 States Could Follow

By Christian Roselund

On 25 August, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) approved a rule which requires that electric vehicles (EVs) comprise a minimum of 35% of the state’s new car sales by 2026 and 100% by 2035. The Advanced Clean Cars (ACC) II rule is the first binding commitment to phase out internal combustion engine car sales in the United States, and the 100% by 2035 requirement in follows a 2020 executive order by California Governor Newsom.

EVs comprised more than 16% of California’s new light-duty vehicle sales in the first half of 2022, and automakers including Tesla have stated that they will be able to meet the 2026 requirement. However, Kia warned of difficulties caused by “elements outside the control of the industry” including supply chain challenges and insufficient charging infrastructure.

ACC II has been adopted entirely or in part by 17 other states, and CARB’s move could trigger similar internal combustion engine vehicle phase-out mandates across the nation. UtilityDive states that Connecticut, Massachusetts, New York, Oregon, and Washington are among the first states that are expected to follow California’s lead, and CARB says that this could lead to 35% of the national car and light truck market establishing similar standards.

Electrification of light-duty vehicles is considered a key action for reducing transportation emissions, which comprise 41% of California’s total emissions. However, as the average new car stays on the road for more than a decade, reductions in transportation emissions will lag the share of EVs in new car sales. Due to this, CARB estimates that this program will result in only an 8% reduction in the state’s transportation emissions by 2030, and 29% by 2035 – even as the state’s entire new car fleet transitions to electric vehicles.

Source: California moves to accelerate to 100% new zero-emission vehicle sales by 2035 (CARB)

News coverage: California sets road map to complete ban on gasoline-powered vehicle sales by 2035 (UtilityDive)