In a major shift away from traditional gas engines, a growing number of states are adopting rules that will effectively ban the sale of new gasoline-powered cars and light trucks by 2035. The states following California’s lead include:
- • Maryland
- • Massachusetts
- • New Jersey
- • New York
- • Oregon
- • Rhode Island
- • Virginia
- • Washington
- • Washington DC
Connecticut, Maine and New Mexico are also considering adopting the ban, but no legislation has been introduced yet. Under the mandate, 35% of new vehicle sales in the states that have the ban in place must be fully electric or other zero-emission vehicles by 2026. This percentage then ramps up year-over-year until hitting 100% by 2035, at which point sales of new gas-only cars and trucks would be prohibited. The new rules do not impact existing vehicles, so owners of gasoline-powered cars and trucks can continue driving them and even reselling them on the used market in these states. The bans only restrict what new car models can be sold by automakers and dealers.