15 States That Plan to Ban Gas Powered Cars

15 US States That Plan to Ban the Sale of Gasoline-Powered Cars

In a bid to cut down on carbon emissions, 15 US states have announced plans to outlaw the sale of any new gas-powered motor vehicles over the course of the next ten years. With plenty of other states putting serious thought into joining them. The ‘Advanced Clean Cars II’ law specifies that, as of 2035, only zero-emission cars will be able to be legally marketed in states that are involved in the scheme. From that point on, automakers and dealerships won’t be allowed to sell any new gasoline-powered automobiles. However, Americans in these states will still be able to buy old and secondhand petrol automobiles. And, crucially, will not be obliged to take their gas-powered cars off the road. Here are the 15 states – as of December 2023 – that are confirmed or in discussions to take part… (Pictures: Getty Images/Metro)

California©Provided by Metro

The biggest and perhaps most noteworthy state to have so far signed up to the scheme is, unsurprisingly, California. Plans in the state, headed by the progressive Governor Gavin Newsom, stipulate that by 2026, a full 35% of all new vehicle sales must be zero-emission and by 2030, that number will rise to 68%. The Californian city of San Jose had the highest percentage of new electric car registrations of any large metro region in the US last year at over 40% (Pictures: Getty Images)

Massachusetts©Provided by Metro

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is also all in on the new Advanced Clean Cars II law, in a bid to show that they’re seriously dedicated to being green, cutting emissions and embracing cleaner tech. By setting tough standards and throwing in some incentives, the Bay State is seemingly making strides in eco-friendly transportation. Good news for pollution levels, not so great for any drivers that love buying brand new gas-slurping muscle cars or trucks (Pictures: Getty Images)

Rhode Island©Provided by Metro

The country’s smallest state, Rhode Island, has also proposed to adopt the new law. Just like a lot of its neighbours in the northeast. The Ocean State appears to be keen to tackle vehicles emissions head-on and embrace next-gen vehicle tech. With this forward-thinking – albeit limiting – legislation, Rhode Island is driving towards a greener future. At least that’s the sort of corny thing a politician might say about the move, anyway (Pictures: Getty Images)

Maryland©Provided by Metro

The Advanced Clean Cars II regulations should also help Marylanders escape from poor air quality and the negative health effects of gas-guzzling car pollution. They were formally accepted by the Maryland Department of Environment (MDE) back in September 2023. In doing so, they became the first state in the region to finalise the regulation (Pictures: Getty Images)

New Jersey©Provided by Metro

The home of Bruce Springsteen and Tony Soprano has also been an early adopter of these cleaner car laws. The regulations are effectively stricter standards for vehicle emissions and fuel efficiency, which should encourage the use of electric and low-emission vehicles in New Jersey. These rules will, in turn, incentivize manufacturers to produce cleaner cars and make the air above cities like Atlantic City and Trenton so much cleaner (Pictures: Getty Images)

New York©Provided by Metro

Motorists in The Big Apple and beyond – across the whole of New York state – will also have to get their heads around the brand new rules. The adoption of the law is part of a state-wide pursual of policies aimed to reduce vehicle emissions and promote cleaner transportation. More and more incentives are being introduced to encourage the purchase of electric vehicles (Pictures: Getty Images)

Oregon©Provided by Metro

It might not come as a huge surprise that of the states to adopt these new greener car laws, Oregon would be among them. A famously progressive and environmentally-aware state, this part of Cascadia is very conscious of the harm and ill effects of pollution. So it was always very likely that Oregon would agree to the Advanced Clean Cars II proposals (Pictures: Getty Images

Washington©Provided by Metro

Another state that’s keen to adopt the new green motoring laws that promote the sale of zero-emission cars is Oregon’s neighbours, Washington state. This area of the Pacific North West has long exhibited a proactive stance towards pollution and environmental protection. Its people have been into environmental activism since before it was fashionable and lawmakers are at the forefront of creating policies aimed at preserving natural resources and reducing pollution (Pictures: Getty Images)

District of Columbia©Provided by Metro

There’s no confirmation as yet, but indications are that the District of Columbia are keen to adopt the rule too. It comes after Sierra Club analysis claimed that, by 2035, these clean cars regulations in D.C. will likely cut dangerous fuel emissions of nitrogen oxides by a not inconsiderable 73% (Pictures: Getty Images)

Vermont©Provided by Metro

The Legislative Committee on Administrative Rules for Vermont enacted both the Advanced Clean Trucks (ACT) regulation and ACC II in a single rulemaking package on December 16, 2022. Meaning that Bernie Sanders’ leafy state is committed to swapping out gas guzzlers for electric and hybrid vehicles (Picture: Getty Images)

Virginia©Provided by Metro

A previous administration’s trigger statute was used by Virginia to enact the regulation back in 2022. There may be an issue, however. The new Republican governor, Glenn Youngkin, has declared his desire to repeal the law. Which is good news for some drivers, of course. But not so good for those Virginians concerned about air quality (Picture: Getty Images)

New Mexico©Provided by Metro

The southern state of New Mexico chose only to adopt the Californian sales percentage model through to 2032, not beyond it. The New Mexico Environmental Improvement Board adopted the ACC II and ACT laws in one fell rulemaking swoop back in November of 2023 (Picture: Getty Images)

Maine©Provided by Metro

Back in July of 2023, lawmakers in Maine publicly declared that they were very seriously considering adopting the ruling as well. Nothing has been formally declared as yet, but it seems likely that the USA’s easternmost state is likely to usher in an new age of electric vehicles like an increasing number of other states (Picture: Getty Images)