New York announced Thursday it would be the next state to ban new gas cars by 2035.
At a press conference held at Chester Maple Municipal Garage, White Plains, New York Governor Kathy Hochul stated that she would direct the State Department of Environmental Conservation not to sell new gas-powered cars until 2035. New state regulations will require that all passenger vehicles be emission-free by 2035, according to yet to be published. New York is the latest state that has adopted the policy, after California in August announced it would prohibit new gas car sales by 2035.
Hochul, a Chevrolet Bolt electric vehicle, said that every week in New York is Climate Week. “And we are committed to protecting the environment and fighting climate change every day… electric cars are the key to this.”
Hochul also made a separate statement on Governor’s Website. He explained the details of the new regulatory system: By the model year 2026 electric vehicles will make up 35% of all new vehicle sales. By 2030, 68% must be electric. The new emission standards would be established for cars, light-duty trucks, and medium-duty vehicles, starting in model years 2026 to 2034. Hochul also stated in her press conference, that all new school buses must emit zero emissions by 2027 and that the entire fleet must emit zero emissions by 2035.
Hochul also announced new financial incentives to residents for purchasing an electric car, as well as federal and state investments in fast charging stations and other infrastructure. $5.75 Million in grants were made possible by the Department of Environmental Conservation for local governments to purchase electric cars and build fast charging stations.
The state contributed $10 million to the “Drive Clean Rebate” initiative. This program offers residents an additional $2,000 state tax credit, in addition to the $7,500 federal rebate for electric vehicles purchased under the Inflation Reduction Act. In addition to a $250 million state commitment, the state received $175 million from federal investments under the bipartisan infrastructure law of 2021.
Hochul stated that they are putting their foot down on the accelerator to ensure we make the transition, not in the future but by a specific date and year, 2035.
Hochul specifically mentioned California’s decision to ban the sale of gas-powered cars as the reason behind her state’s decision. “We had to wait for California’s decision because there was some federal requirement that California must take the first step… but once that decision was made we were able immediately to say, ‘Now there’s no stopping us.”
She added, “We’re not going down that dead-end road [of gas vehicles] anymore.”
New York’s plan mirrors that of California, which was proposed by Governor Gavin Newsom in April. The California Air Resources Board approved it in August. This ban was the first of its kind anywhere in the world. Newsom stated that the climate crisis can be solved if we concentrate on the bold, big steps needed to stop the tide of carbon pollution in a statement last month.
California’s ban was unveiled on the same day that Washington and Massachusetts adopted it. In Virginia, the plan was also approved by a law of the state in 2021.
According to Kelley Blue Book, Hochul’s financial incentives might not be enough to offset electric car prices that average over $66,000. Because most electric vehicles do not meet American parts requirements, they are not eligible for the federal tax credit. Ford and GM have also increased the prices for new electric cars by about the same amount.
Motortrend’s June ranking found that the 11 most affordable gas-powered cars cost less than $22,000, including Hyundai, Toyota, and Kia. A July Car and Driver survey revealed that the Nissan Leaf is the most affordable electric vehicle at $28,495. According to Bankrate, electric vehicles can sometimes have higher insurance premiums.
Bankrate notes that you will typically pay more to insure an electrical vehicle than a regular automobile. This is due to the higher price of electric vehicles and the fact that they are more expensive to repair, particularly those with high-tech features.
