New York State to Ban Gas Vehicle Sales by 2035, in Line with California

New York State is moving to follow California in phasing out sales of new cars, SUVs, and light trucks powered solely by internal combustion engines by 2035.

Governor Kathy Hochul said in a statement released Thursday that she has directed the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation to propose and finalize rules to adopt mandates comparable to those approved in California in August.

"New York is a national climate leader and an economic powerhouse. We will use that strength to spur innovation and large-scale adoption of zero-emission vehicles," she said in a statement.

The mandate is part of New York's overarching goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 85% by 2050, and a public hearing will be held before the state Department of Environmental Conservation makes a final decision.

California's mandate calls for exclusive sales of zero-emission vehicles beginning in 2035, phasing in 35% by 2026, 68% by 2030, and 100% by 2035.

In this case, zero-emission vehicles would include battery and fuel cell electric vehicles, as well as plug-in hybrids with an electric range of 50 miles or more, although the number of hybrids an automaker could sell would be limited.

Importantly, the mandate does not prohibit people from keeping or buying used internal combustion engine vehicles beyond 2035.

Hochul's announcement accelerates legislation she signed last fall that formalizes the goal of ending sales of vehicles powered solely by internal combustion engines by 2035. The bill also required all new medium- and heavy-duty trucks to follow similar rules by 2045.

On the national level, President Biden announced a goal of 50% of all sales to be EVs or plug-in hybrids by 2030, but without regulatory backing. California senators have urged President Biden to set a date for the end of internal combustion vehicle sales nationwide, but the administration has yet to take that step.