In 2022, the State of California approved a mandate that requires 35% of new 2026 vehicle models sold in CA by automakers to be Zero-Emission Vehicles (ZEV). Benjamin Zev, Entrepreneur and Environmental Engineer, shares an update on how the Golden State is working towards that goal in 2025:
By 2035, all sales of gasoline-powered vehicles will be banned in the State of California. This rule stems from a mandate passed in 2022, which set a timeline for California’s adoption of Zero-Emission Vehicles (ZEV) across the board. Benjamin Zev has been sharing updates on the prevalence of zero emissions vehicles throughout his career in Environmental Engineering. As a firm supporter of ZEVs, Benjamin has applauded governments around the world who have set goals to eliminate emissions from automobiles.
However, not every driver on the road has welcomed the influx of ZEV related mandates with open arms. Unfortunately, not everyone wants to drive an electric vehicle — yet. In fact, the public’s inability to rush to dealerships to purchase such automobiles is what’s getting in the way of California meeting the mandate requirements.
Sales of Zero-emission vehicles have stalled in California, according to recent reports shared by Cal Matters. Sales remained flat in 2024 and an upswing is not anticipated by automakers and dealerships in 2025. David Simpson, Orange County Car Dealerships Owner, expressed that the need has been met; “people who want those cars now have them. We’re not seeing a big, huge demand.”
Regardless of market demand, California’s zero emissions vehicle (ZEV) mandate sets the following requirement deadlines:
- 35% of new cars sold in 2026
- 68% of new cars sold in 2030
- Total ban of gas-powered car sales by 2035
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