California Governor Gavin Newsom issued an executive order to phase out gas-powered cars and vehicles in the state by 2035 to tackle the climate change crisis.

According to the statement, the California Air Resources Board will establish the regulation to ensure that new passenger cars and vehicle sales in the state are zero-emission by 2035. It will also develop regulations to supervise all operations of medium and heavy-duty vehicles to ensure they are emission-free by 2045. The mandate will be applied to drayage trucks from 2035.

These initiatives will help achieve over 35% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions and an 80% improvement in oxides of nitrogen emissions from cars statewide.

The governor said that the order would direct state agencies to enhance the installation of low-cost fueling and charging options in partnership with the private sector to satisfy the infrastructure requirements to support zero-emission vehicles.

He added that the order would also regulate state agencies to develop plans for a statewide integrated rail and transit network and to enhance infrastructure to help bicycle and pedestrian projects in low-income communities.

“The executive order sets clear deliverables for new health and safety regulations that protect workers and communities from the impact of oil extraction. It supports companies who transition their upstream and downstream oil production operations to cleaner alternatives,” said the press statement.

According to its press release, the California Air Resources Board already sanctioned new regulations directing truck manufacturers to shift towards zero-emission electric trucks starting 2024. The governor also signed a Memorandum of Understanding with 14 other states to enhance the medium and heavy-duty electric vehicles market.

According to a new report issued by the International Energy Agency, the number of electric cars plying on the road is expected to touch almost 10 million in 2020, with their sales growing despite the coronavirus pandemic. The report states that this year, electric car sales are expected to do better than other car markets.

Mercom earlier reported that 60 U.S. companies had teamed up to persuade American insurers to ditch fossil fuel-based businesses.

Harsh Shukla is a staff reporter at Mercom India. Previously with Indian Express, he has covered general interest stories. He holds a Masters Degree in Journalism from Symbiosis Institute of Media and Communication, Pune.

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