Watch Now


California governor bans sale of fossil fuel-powered cars starting in 2035

"Where feasible," operations of medium- and heavy-duty trucks to be zero emission in 2045

(Photo credit: Flickr/TruckPR)

California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed an executive order Wednesday that aims to end the sale of new gasoline- and diesel-powered passenger cars in the state by 2035. Many heavy-duty trucks on the road would need to be zero-emission by 2045.

Newsom said in a statement the ambitious order would reduce greenhouse gas pollution that contributes to climate change.

According to the release, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) will develop regulations to mandate that by 2035, all new passenger cars and trucks sold in the state be zero-emission — a target which would achieve more than a 35% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions and an 80% improvement in oxides of nitrogen emissions from cars statewide.

CARB also will develop regulations requiring medium- and heavy-duty vehicles on the road to be 100% zero-emission by 2045 “where feasible,” with the mandate going into effect by 2035 for drayage trucks. 


Generally speaking, the executive order appears to sync up with the Advanced Clean Truck rule California regulators approved in June calling for manufacturers to sell an increasing percentage of zero-emissions trucks starting in 2023.

In the release, Newsom said today’s order was “the most impactful step our state can take to fight climate change.”

“For too many decades, we have allowed cars to pollute the air that our children and families breathe. Californians shouldn’t have to worry if our cars are giving our kids asthma. Our cars shouldn’t make wildfires worse — and create more days filled with smoky air. Cars shouldn’t melt glaciers or raise sea levels threatening our cherished beaches and coastlines.”

Transportation accounts for 50% of all carbon emissions in California, according to the statement.


This article has been updated.

Related stories:

California approves world’s first electric truck sales mandate

California regulator: ‘A remarkable time in history’ for clean truck innovation

6 Comments

  1. CA Trucker

    Yes California has troubles but it is gonna happen. read the article on Walmart converting all diesel to non polluting renewable and/or electric. More and more major corporations are committing to these goals.

    1. MrBigR504

      Yeah, “Major Corporations”! The average person can’t afford that junk! UPS and other entities like them have the deep pockets and financial backing to make that shift. And they should because they have trucks all over the world right? Jb Hunt and Swift and Werner and all the big fleets should make the switch because they can afford it. They buy trucks in bulk with all kinds of discounts and tax write-offs. They should take the lead on this just on those few facts alone! It will also be a test to see how it will work on a national and a global level with faster results and data than to wait on us owner operators to make the switch one at a time.

  2. Rich M

    Wow, great news. California can’t keep the lights on now with 51% of their power coming from wind and solar. How are you supposed to plug in millions of vehicles to charge when there’s no juice???

Comments are closed.

Linda Baker, Senior Environment and Technology Reporter

Linda Baker is a FreightWaves senior reporter based in Portland, Oregon. Her beat includes autonomous vehicles, the startup scene, clean trucking, and emissions regulations. Please send tips and story ideas to [email protected].