California wasn’t as aggressive as some environmental groups desired.
NEW YORK California’s decision to make 2035 the deadline for ending gasoline-only new car sales was the “sweetspot” that would reduce emissions and be realistic for the industry, according to the head of the state’s clean air regulator.
“We had to be cognizant where the automakers were, where supply chains are, and where the production facilities were,” Liane Randolph, chair of California Air Resources Board (CARB), told Reuters during Climate Week, a summit which takes place alongside U.N. General Assembly.
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“I feel like we have landed at the sweet spot.”
After Governor Gavin Newsom’s 2020 executive order, CARB announced that all new California vehicles would have to be either electric or plug-in hybrid electrics by 2035. The rules, according to CARB, will reduce the smog-causing pollutants from light-duty vehicles by 25% in 2037 and resulted in 9.5 million less conventional vehicles being sold by 2035. In 2035, automakers can only sell 20% of PHEV-equipped models.
California wasn’t as aggressive as other environmental groups or Tesla (TSLA.O), who urged the end of new gas-powered vehicles by 2030.
Randolph stated that an EV-only automaker will want to maintain a high standard because it is going to generate a market for its credits.
California requires a waiver from U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in order to adopt the 2035 Rules. This will allow the public to comment. It’s their decision, but that’s what the waiver is for. She said that California could move forward and protect its citizens.
President Joe Biden called for half of all new vehicles to be electric or plug-in hybrids by 2030, but he has not supported a phase out date.
Some states that adopted California’s zero-emission vehicle rules previously haven’t yet signed up for the 2035 phase out date. According to a spokesperson for Colorado’s environment agency, Colorado is not California. Colorado has its own plan.
Randolph stated that “some states” are ready to adopt 2035 right now, while others will “get more comfy as the models continue rolling out.”
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She stated that the regulator is working on other transportation emission reductions for medium- and heavy-duty trucks as well as in-state locomotives. Randolph said that the state is working hard to identify the Imperial Valley as an potential source of lithium for EVs.
