These Are All The States That Could Ban Gas Cars In 2035

Time is running out for gas-powered cars as lawmakers around the world implement new measures to outlaw their sale in the coming years. This week, New Jersey joined the long list of American states that have announced such laws, with a ban on the sale of new gas-powered cars coming into effect in the state from 2035.

The Garden State is far from the first to announce a ban on the sale of gas-powered models and the law it's implementing follows California's ban that was announced back in August 2022. In fact, under new emissions guidance for every state, they must decide whether to adopt California's more stringent clean air rules or abide by federal emissions standards.

As such, an increasing number of states have announced plans to follow California in banning gas-powered cars from 2035. So as the walls start closing in on internal combustion engine models, we thought it was time to start keeping track of every state planning to outlaw them.

So, with several states now backing the ban and even more considering following suit, you might be running out of time to get your hands on a brand new gas car in many areas across the U.S.

The first state to announce a ban on new gas cars was California. The measure comes into force in 2035 and while it won't take older gas-powered models off the road it will restrict dealers across the state to selling only electric vehicles and certain plug-in hybrids.

Colorado was another newcomer to the gas car ban, only officially adopting the law in October. Across the state, EVs now make up 17 percent of cars sold but that figure is set to rise rapidly. Under its rules, electrified models must account for 82 percent of new car sales ahead of the ban three years later—2032.

Connecticut followed California's lead and announced it would ban the sale of gas cars earlier this year. Governor Ned Lamont announced that the state would take steps to reduce air pollution across the region, which includes stipulations that automakers must offer cars with 90 percent cleaner emissions as well as 100 percent electrified vehicles from 2035.

Maryland announced its intention to ban gas-powered cars in March 2023. The state made the move to cut its largest source of greenhouse gas emissions, reports the Washington Post, but it's faced backlash among residents. In a survey carried out by the paper, 61 percent of residents said they oppose Maryland's plan to end sales of new gas-powered cars by 2035.

The Bay State was one of the first to follow California in banning gas cars, announcing the move in September 2022. When Massachusetts announced the move, it also pledged to take steps to clean up heavier diesel vehicles such as trucks and school buses by pivoting those to run on electricity as well.

The latest state to announce a ban on new gas-powered cars is New Jersey, with the state officially adopting California's guidelines today. Governor Murphy said the move would "improve air quality and mitigate climate impacts for generations to come." To support the move, the governor said they would support initiatives to increase EV incentives and charging infrastructure across New Jersey.

The Empire State was also quick to follow California's lead, announcing it would follow the Golden State's ban in September 2022. Under the measures, the state will implement yearly rising zero-emission vehicle rules starting in 2026, which will eventually phase out gasoline-only new car sales by 2035.

Further south, New Mexico is on the brink of adopting California's strict emissions rules, with hearings ongoing about the way the rules will be implemented across the state. Under the rules, the state would require automakers to sell 80 percent of their cars as zero-emission by 2032 before a full pivot to zero-emission cars by 2035.

At the end of 2022, Oregon announced its ban on gas-powered cars. The move is part of a state-wide initiative to clean up emissions, which set a target of a 50 percent drop in emissions by 2035 and a 90 percent cut by 2050.

Transportation causes roughly 40 percent of Rhode Island's greenhouse gas emissions, so a ban on new gas-powered cars is planned to help slash emissions across the state. Following the announcement, the state unveiled a raft of incentives to encourage residents to go electric, including rebates of up to $2,500 for those who buy or lease battery-powered cars.

Washington governor Jay Inslee announced that the Evergreen State will ban the sale of gas-powered cars in 2035. As part of the move, the state has pledged a raft of incentives to encourage residents to go electric from 2030.

America's maple syrup capital will adopt California's strict zero-emission targets, with Vermont confirming the news at the end of 2022. From 2026, 35 percent of new cars sold in the state must be zero-emission, with that percentage set to rise every year until a ban on all new gas-powered car sales from 2030.

The first of our "maybes" is Delaware, which hasn't yet confirmed its plans to adopt California's strict emission rules. However, the move is facing some backlash in the state, with senator Brian Pettyjohn arguing that the move would be "disastrous" for independent repair shops.

Another state that's on the fence about a ban on new gas-powered cars is Maine. The state is considering implementing new targets for EV and plug-in hybrid sales over the coming years, but isn't yet considering the full ban that California and other states will implement over the next 12 years.

Minnesota has its own clean car rules, which are closely tied to the rules outlined in California. Despite facing a challenge from car dealers across the state, Minnesota will begin implementing more stringent emission rules from next year.

Nevada has not yet followed New York and California in banning gas-powered cars, but the move remains on the table for lawmakers across the state. If it doesn't adopt California's strict emission rules, Nevada will have to abide by federal regulations, which rule that zero-emission models must make up to two-thirds of cars sold across America by 2032.

Another state that has the power to adopt the ban in Pennsylvania, but at present it doesn't look like a ban is coming to the Keystone State. The state's governor said that Pennsylvania would not "automatically" adopt California's standards after abandoning a move to enshrine them into law late last year.

Virginia is having a topsy turvy relationship with the ban on gas-powered cars, having backed the move in 2022 before voting to repeal the law a few months later. Now, the bill faces a battle to get through the state senate, which has a history of blocking similarly eco-minded bills.