The new regulations are designed to compel carmakers to speed up the release of cleaner vehicles on the market. It follows Governor Gavin Newsom's goal to hasten the transition away from fossil fuels in 2020. The decision is significant since California has one of the largest economies in the world and is the most populated state in the US.
By 2026, 35% of new cars sold in the state must be hydrogen, electric, or hybrid vehicles, according to regulations set forth by the California Air Resources Board (CARB). By 2030 and 2035, respectively, 100% of vehicle sales would be subject to the regulations.
The statement represents California's most recent action as it continues to tighten emission regulations more quickly than the US federal government. The most populous US state is California, with more than 39 million citizens. Its gross domestic product would place it ahead of the United Kingdom as the fifth-largest economy in the world if it were an independent country.
The plan put forth by CARB is "both achievable and paves the way for California to lead in electrifying the light-duty sector".according to Joseph Mendelson, senior counsel of electric vehicle manufacturer Tesla. To increase demand for electric vehicles, the Alliance for Automotive Innovation, which represents automakers such as General Motors, Volkswagen, and Toyota, said more needed to be done (EVs).