Gone by 2035: Gas-Powered Car Sales Have an Expiration Date in California

California Governor Gavin Newsom announced yesterday an executive order that would ban the sale of cars powered by internal combustion engines by 2035. California is the first state in the country to take such action.

1 minute read

September 24, 2020, 9:00 AM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


"California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed an executive order Wednesday that calls for a ban on the sale of new gasoline-powered cars and other passenger vehicles in the state by 2035," report Mark Olalde and Janet Wilson for the Palm Springs Desert Sun. 

"The executive order will not prevent Californians from owning gasoline-powered cars or selling them on the used car market," add Olalde and Wilson. 

The announcement came as part of a package of climate change action put in motion by Gov. Newsom. "The executive order sets July of next year as an important month when multiple reports and recommendations are due on topics ranging from incentivizing the electric vehicle market to the responsible closure and cleanup of oil wells," according to the article. 

The announcement attracted criticism from both sides of the issue, as cited in the article—from a Republican state legislator who said the move would disproportionately impact rural residents, and environmentalists who say the policy wouldn't go far enough.

Additional coverage of the announcement is available from Paul Rogers for The Mercury News and Andrew J. Hawkins for The Verge.

A video of the announcement is shown above.

Wednesday, September 23, 2020 in Palm Springs Desert Sun

Young Professional

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban and Environmental Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban and Environmental Planner

Get top-rated, practical training for planners

"Planetizen federal action tracker" logo superimposed over black and white image of US Capitol dome.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

September 16, 2026 - Zachary Whalen

Overlapping highways

The state-sanctioned urbicide of Austin

People don’t kill cities. Freeways do.

September 8, 2026 - Benjamin Schneider

The Hoover Dam blocking the Colorado River. The river's water level is noticeably low. The cliffs surrounding the blue water are brown and jagged.

US to reduce Colorado River water deliveries to Mexico

A new Colorado Treaty amendment reduces Mexico’s Colorado River water allocation by 250,000 acre feet.

September 11, 2026 - The Arizona Republic

A cluster of wind turbines beneath a stormy sky, above a forest where the leaves are beginning to change colors.

5 New England states march closer to 800 megawatt wind energy project

Securing federal approval for the project may be complicated under the Trump administration, which has historically been hostile towards domestic wind power.

4 hours ago - Inside Climate News

People boarding a bus on Maryland's Orange Route.

Baltimore to break ground on $50 million Transit Priority Project

The project will bring faster bus trips, safer streets and better bike connections to Baltimore.

5 hours ago - Mass Transit

A brick building with a circular sign with the Airbnb logo hanging off of it.

Airbnb launches $250 million 'last-dollar financing' housing accelerator, makes first investment in Austin

The company will put $6.4 million towards affordable housing development in Texas’ capital.

6 hours ago - Smart Cities Dive

FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?

After describing his path towards focusing on walkability as the essence of good planning, Jeff Speck marches through his five principal reasons for making more walkable places.

Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold

The course focuses on the opportunities and imperatives that shape reinvention of mall sites.