The state of New Jersey announced a plan to ban new gas-powered cars by 2035.
Governor Phil Murphy (D) said, “By filing the landmark Advanced Clean Cars II rule, New Jersey builds upon its standing as a national leader in climate action and its participation in the global Accelerating to Zero commitment.”
“The steps we take today to lower emissions will improve air quality and mitigate climate impacts for generations to come, all while increasing access to cleaner car choices. Indeed, together with my Administration’s continuing investments in voluntary electric vehicle incentives, charging infrastructure, and the green economy, these new standards will preserve consumer choice and promote affordability for hardworking New Jerseyans across the state.”
According to the plan, gasoline-powered vehicles will not be prohibited for consumers, but “will provide certainty to vehicle manufacturers, suppliers, utilities, and charging infrastructure companies to make the long-term investments that will be crucial to large-scale deployment of light-duty ZEVs and consumer choice.”
According to The New American, the rule “forces manufacturers to stop producing [gas-powered vehicles] if they wish to sell cars in New Jersey.”
“Cleaner cars and trucks mean cleaner air for our children and families, because the tailpipes of our own vehicles are a leading cause of poor local air quality,” explained Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Commissioner Shawn LaTourette. “As New Jersey transitions to a zero-emission vehicle future, we will improve our quality of life and public health. At the same time, we will reduce climate pollutants from the transportation sector, the greatest source of planet-warming pollution in New Jersey and the nation.”
American Faith reported that despite a push for electric vehicles (EVs) buyers are “just not coming,” according to a Washington car dealer.
“It’s always been the ‘build it and they will come’ strategy,” Vince Sheehy told Business Insider. “And they’re just not coming.”
Mercedes CFO Harald Wilhelm described the EV market as a “brutal space,” noting that he can “hardly imagine the current status quo is fully sustainable.”
