Save for later Print Download Share LinkedIn Twitter Twelve US state governors have asked President Joe Biden to phase out new sales of gasoline-powered cars by 2035, posing major risks for US oil demand if their request goes into effect. In a letter, the group of mostly Democratic governors said all new sales of passenger cars and light-duty trucks should be zero-emission "no later than 2035." They added that medium- and heavy-duty vehicles should be set on a path toward 100% zero-emission sales "no later than 2045." The governors also called for softer federal incentives to accompany the standards, including funding for electric vehicle (EV) charging stations and tax credits for EV purchases. The signatories include California Gov. Gavin Newsom, who in September directed California regulators to draw up measures to phase out conventional vehicle sales in the state by 2035 (OD Sep.23'20). Going a step further, the legislature in Washington state passed a bill earlier this month that would stop sales of gasoline-fueled vehicles five years earlier, in 2030 (OD Apr.15'21). Washington Gov. Jay Inslee signed onto the letter to Biden. Biden promised during the presidential race to move toward 100% zero-emission vehicle sales but hasn't set a target date for this goal.
