California Urges EPA to Pass Ban on New Gasoline Car Sales by 2035

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California is urging the Biden administration to pass its proposal requiring all new vehicles sold in the state by 2035 to be exclusively hybrid-electric, hydrogen-powered, or plug-in electric (PHEV), according to a letter seen and reported on by Reuters.

The California Air Resources Board (CARB) approved the plan in Augustbut it still needs a green light from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to enforce its own vehicle emissions standards.

On Monday, CARB asked the EPA to approve a waiver under the Clean Air Act that would allow it to implement its new rules. Specifically, the rules call for PHEVs, EVs, or hydrogen fuel cell vehicles to account for 35% of new car sales by 2026, 68% by 2030, and 100% by 2035. The regulation would allow vehicle manufacturers to cars sell up to 20% PHEV by 2035. but would need a minimum electric range of 50 miles to qualify.

Crucially, the requirements do not ban combustion-engine vehicles from the roads, nor stop used car sales in the state. But the ultimate goal is to speed up the transition to zero-emission vehicles.

California is already making progress toward its goals. In 2022, nearly 19% of all new cars sold in the state were zero-emissions vehicles, which is about 40% of all ZEVs sold in the US. The state is also investing $2.9 billion to accelerate California’s hydrogen refueling and electric vehicle charging goals, and expects to receive $384 million of federal funds from the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Program to install charging stations.

Historically, the EPA has granted such exemptions to California, although conflicts have arisen in the past that have led to legal disputes. The Trump administration had sought to remove California’s authority to set its own strict ZEV and tailpipe standards, but in March 2022, the EPA restored the state’s right to do so under the Clean Air Act. Car manufacturers like Ford, general motorsVolkswagen, BMW, Honda, Volvo and Toyota they have backed the Biden administration’s effort to restore California’s authority over its own air.

Concerns about California’s high population and air quality mean the state has played a significant role in shaping environmental policy at the national level. CARB has unique authority under the Clean Air Act to set vehicle emission standards more stringent than the federal government. As a result, California often sets trends that other states can follow.

A month after CARB passed its ban on gasoline-powered vehicles, New York passed similar legislation. Earlier this month, Rhode Island joined Washington, Virginia, Vermont, Oregon, Massachusetts and at least seven others in adopting California’s ZEV requirements.

CARB’s 60-page waiver request reviewed by Reuters says California’s new rules will cost the state $210.35 billion through 2040, but total benefits will reach $301.41 billion.

The Biden administration has yet to affirm the setting of a date to phase out the sale of gasoline-powered vehicles. An EPA spokesman told Reuters the agency will follow an open public process when considering California’s application.

CARB did not respond in time to TechCrunch’s request to view the waiver appeal or answer any questions.