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Governor Gavin Newsom has been a driving force behind the push for a greener California. In August 2022, he approved a groundbreaking rule mandating that all new cars sold in the state by 2035 be zero-emission vehicles. This bold move was met with both applause and skepticism.
Brian Maas, president of the California New Car Dealers Association, acknowledged the significance of the shift, stating, "This is arguably the biggest change in personal transportation in most of our lifetimes". However, he also highlighted the challenges, particularly the affordability of EVs, with the average price currently around $66,000.
Devin Gladden, federal affairs manager at the American Automobile Association (AAA), pointed out the consumer perspective, "Last year, when we saw the national average [gas price] increase to $5 per gallon, we saw increased consumer interest in purchasing an electric vehicle". Yet, he emphasized the rising cost of EVs as a major hurdle for widespread adoption.
The California Air Resources Board has adopted the world's most stringent rules for transitioning to zero-emission vehicles. Daniel Sperling, a board member, candidly expressed the difficulties ahead, "It's going to be very hard getting to 100 percent... You can't just wave your wand, you can't just adopt a regulation — people actually have to buy them and use them".
Amidst these voices, a looming legal challenge threatens to derail California's EV mandates. A Supreme Court case in the works may cancel the state's EV edicts, which have been based on its 1970 Clean Air Act waiver. The outcome of this case could significantly alter the trajectory of California's EV future.
The battle over who controls the EVs in California is not just about power or policy. It's a reflection of a society grappling with climate change, technological advancement, and economic realities. As the state navigates these turbulent waters, the world watches, waiting to see how California's decisions will shape the future of transportation.
