California to Ban All Fossil-Fuel New Car Sales By 2035

The new bill seeks to permanently eliminate new fossil-fuel vehicles from dealership floors in the state of California by 2035.

California, a state historically synonymous with emissions standards, is going to ban the sale of new fossil-fuel-powered vehicles starting in 2035. This decision, likely to be set in stone by the California Air Resource Board (CARB) on August 25, marks a fundamental shift in the world’s largest automotive marketplace. And they most likely won’t be alone. Estimates currently place about a dozen states to follow California’s lead, of which five are expected to by as soon as next year.

The rule, dubbed CARB Advanced Clean Cars II, also adds stipulations to decrease fossil-fuel vehicle sales incrementally. So by 2026, fossil-fuel sales decrease by 35 percent. By 2030, that number’s projected to be as high as 68 percent. This resolution marks the latest in a long line of international sweeping changes to combat the effects of climate change. Likewise, experts say that the ruling may help spur other nations to enact similar policies of their own.

CARB Advanced Clean Cars II Takeaways

• Yes, this includes all light-duty passenger cars, SUVs, and trucks.
• No, it does not include medium and heavy-duty vehicles
• California is only going to ban “new vehicle” sales (it isn’t banning older gas-powered vehicles)
• This goal is “zero emissoins” which doesn’t mean “electric-only.” There will be a lot more electric, but other technologies are likely to be implemented as well.

Creating a more sustainable road network

According to California governor Gavin Newsom (D), the bill represents one of the “big, bold steps necessary to stem the tide of carbon pollution,” he claimed in a statement. Because California represents such a massive chunk of US automotive sales, the bill’s likely to have far-reaching effects even in the short term. And while the projected dates are still a best-case scenario, the governor’s “99.9%” confident that the bill will pass. (Ford seems to think so as well.)

In terms of future automotive development, this likely will cause various manufacturers to change gears towards more electric vehicles as well as alternative fuels. Because California represents the first of likely many states and nations to enact such laws, automakers likewise won’t be left in the dust, either. As market shares of fossil-fuel vehicles decrease, so too will the desire to continue innovating in this field, as opposed to following the demographics. As a result, expect a variety of companies to announce a partial or complete shift towards zero-emission vehicles in compliance with these new restrictions.

What this means for us and the future of the Corvette

Let’s take our beloved Corvette, for example. We currently have the C8, a gorgeous mid-engined beast with a screaming traditional gas-powered V8. Now, with this bill in the works, two things are likely to occur. Firstly, the C8 may very well represent the last gas-powered V8 Corvette generation. If that turns out to be the case, used C8 values are likely to skyrocket. Likewise, used gas-powered vehicle sales across the board will soar in California and other states with similar resolutions. The second, and arguably more compelling, factor to consider is that we have several options outside of going all-electric.

Let’s take a look back a few decades, where we saw a massive shift from manual to automatic transmissions. Such a drastic change left some enthusiasts with a desire for a more traditional ride. And so used manuals became (and remain) sought-after in many communities. From that desire rose a new system: the paddle-shifter. And even further down the line, we’re seeing the resurgence of the clutch pedal in new sports cars. In short, the resolution marks a paradigm shift, not the end of an era. And with modern advances in zero-emission technology, we may soon have our cake and eat it, too.

For example, hydrogen internal combustion engine technology advanced significantly since its modern-day emergence. Such engines now look, sound, and have the power of traditional gas-powered engines. GM may steer towards that technology and adapt the latest LT-series block for hydrogen. Alternatively, the Corvette may simply remain a gas-powered car with an electric option in California, like California-compliant exhaust systems. Whatever the case may be, the C8’s likely to go down in history as the last of its breed. So if you’re lucky enough to have a C8 in California, be sure to take good care of it.

Featured Photo from PxHere, public domain.

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