New York adopts California’s decision to mandate zero-emission cars

New York has adopted California’s decision to require all new cars and trucks sold in the state to be zero-emission by 2035. They are the second state in the country to mandate zero-emissions for all new passenger cars, pickup trucks and SUVs . All new school buses purchased will also have to be zero-emission by 2027, with the entire fleet meeting these standards by 2035.

New regulations would set shorter term goals of 35 percent by 2026 and 68 percent by 2030. New York had passed a law setting the goal last year but they couldn’t put that plan into motion until California acted last month.

“That’s all right, once they made that decision, we are able to step up immediately and say now there’s nothing holding us back,” Governor Kathy Hochul, D-N.Y., said. “We had to wait for California to take a step because there’s some federal requirements that California had to go first. That’s the only time we’re letting them go first.”

Under the proposed rules, people wouldn’t have to give up their gas-powered vehicles. The buying and selling of second-hand vehicles would still be permitted under the new law. New York is one of 17 states either partially or fully following California’s emission standards.

“New York is a national climate leader and an economic powerhouse, and we’re using our strength to help spur innovation and implementation of zero-emission vehicles on a grand scale,” Governor Hochul said.

The state’s recent adoption of an emissions standard has some auto companies stressing against it. The president of Toyota commented on the new laws multiple times this week. He cautioned that a zero-emission by 2035 goal may be difficult to reach. He spoke with several other dealers at a meeting on Wednesday further diving into why he thinks it is not the right time for a full transition.

“Just like the fully autonomous cars that we were all supposed to be driving by now, BEVs are just going to take longer to become mainstream than the media would like us to believe.”

Toyota is the best selling auto brand in California.  The company has been criticized by environmental groups for not moving faster to adopt EVs even though Toyota said it would boost its planned investment in a new U.S. battery plant from $1.29 billion to $3.8 billion, partly in response to rising consumer demand for electric vehicles.