New York is the third US state to announce a ban on new gas-powered cars by 2035. California enacted a similar law earlier this year. New York Governor Kathy Hochul has directed various state agencies to amend the laws and regulations needed to prohibit the sale of new internal combustion engine vehicles.
“With continued state and federal investment, our actions incentivize New Yorkers, local governments, and businesses to make the transition to electric vehicles,” Hochul said at a ceremony commemorating National Drive Electric Week. “We are pushing New York’s transition to clean transportation forward, and today’s announcement will benefit our climate and the health of our communities for generations to come.”
The proposal outlines the state’s plans to increase sales of zero-emission vehicles, including EVs, over the next 13 years. The state wants ZEVs to account for 35 percent of new car sales by 2026, 68 percent by 2030, and 100 percent by 2035.
Hochul also noted that the new regulations will come with new pollution rules for passenger cars, light trucks, and medium-sized vehicles with internal combustion engines. The new pollution guidelines will take effect in 2026 and continue through the 2034 model year. According to the state, these regulations give automakers flexibility during the transition to ZEVs.
The New York proposal is very similar to the California benchmark, which also calls for 35 percent of new vehicle sales to be ZEVs by 2026. However, there is one difference. The California proposal sets out the rules for 2028, calling for ZEVs to account for 51 percent of sales.
The state’s proposal is part of a broader plan to meet the goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 85 percent by 2050. The state is also providing $5.75 million to municipalities to help facilitate the purchase or leasing of ZEVs and to install public EV chargers. .
New York is just the latest government agency to seek a ban on the sale of new ICE vehicles. The European Union earlier this year approved a 2035 ban on sales of new gas and diesel cars. Washington has aggressive plans to ban such vehicles by 2030. Countries that also plan to ban this product including Canada, Japan, Costa Rica, and more.
In the photo is NY Governor Kathy Hochul behind the wheel of a Chevrolet Bolt EV.
