Energy News: California Seeks To Ban All Gas-Fueled Cars By 2035

California Gov. Gavin Newsom issued an executive order Wednesday banning the sale of gasoline-powered cars by 2035.

The state predicts the move will provide a 35% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions and an 80% reduction in certain toxic fumes present in vehicle exhausts.

Newsom announced he is directing the California Air Resources Board to establish regulations and that they will be put into effect by 2035.

"This is the most impactful step our state can take to fight climate change," Newsom said in a statement. "For too many decades, we have allowed cars to pollute the air that our children and families breathe. You deserve to have a car that doesn't give your 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."

Newsom has been a strong advocate in the fight against climate change. He noted that "of all the simultaneous crises that we face as a state and I’d argue as a nation — for that matter from a global perspective — none is more important, none is more forceful than the issue of the climate crisis."

California's transportation sector accounts for more than half of the state's carbon emissions, 80% of its smog pollution, and 95% of its diesel emissions. California houses about 40 million people and in 2019 there were more than 36 million confirmed vehicle registrations in the state, according to the Department of Motor Vehicles.

Although California makes up about 12% of the country's population, it accounted for nearly 50% of the new electric vehicles sold around the country between 2010 and 2017, the Desert Sun reported. About 726,000 electric vehicles are used in California.

The ban on gas-powered vehicles will face opposition from automakers and Republican leaders, who have already gone to war over the state's strict automobile regulations.

California Business Roundtable President Rob Lapsley said in an interview that the "radical step" to ban internal combustion engines "makes no sense" and is a rushed decision. Lapsley fears that many Californians might not be able to afford an electric car.

The executive order will not prevent Californians from owning gasoline-powered cars they already purchased or prevent the from selling them.