California bill seeks to ban sale of all fossil-fuelled vehicles by 2040
Proposal intended to tackle harmful emissions that cause climate change would mean only battery-electric or hybrid fuel cell cars available at dealerships
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.California would ban the sale of new cars and trucks powered by fossil fuels in 2040 under legislation introduced on Wednesday in the state legislature.
“We’re at an inflection point: we’ve got to address the harmful emissions that cause climate change,” Democratic Assembly member Phil Ting, the bill’s author, said in a statement.
If the measure becomes law, by 1 January 2040, all new passenger vehicles sold in California would have to be so-called zero emission vehicles such as battery-electric or hydrogen fuel cell cars. More cars are sold each year in California than in any other state - and more than in some countries.
If adopted, the measure would eliminate a huge chunk of carbon emissions as part of the state’s quest to slash greenhouse gas emissions by 80 percent from 1990 levels by 2050.
Ting, who chairs the state’s budget committee, said last month that he planned to introduce the bill, saying at the time “until you set a deadline, nothing gets done.”
The topic was discussed at the California Air Resources Board, the state’s powerful air quality regulator, after Governor Jerry Brown showed interest in the topic, which had been raised by officials in other countries, including China.
Bloomberg
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments