The Biden administration has approved California’s plan to phase out gas-powered cars by 2035, as part of President Joe Biden’s climate solutions. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a waiver allowing the state to start implementing its Advanced Clean Cars II rule in 2026. Carmakers in California must sell increasing numbers of electric vehicles, fuel-cell vehicles, or plug-in hybrids each year until 2035.
Eleven other states and Washington D.C. will also adopt the rule, covering about 30% of the US car market. The EPA says the move is a step towards reducing emissions and addressing climate change. President Biden has made electric vehicles a signature issue, arguing they can create domestic jobs while supporting the fight against climate change.
The Clean Air Act allows California to write stricter pollution standards than the federal government, but each rule must be approved by the EPA. The ruling comes as President-elect Donald Trump has vowed to block California’s EV ambitions and dismantle the federal program.
Source: https://www.eenews.net/articles/epa-approves-waiver-for-california-ev-plan