The state of California has taken a major step toward phasing out gas-powered vehicles, and Massachusetts is following suit.
By 2035, all new cars sold in the state must run on electric or hydrogen power, after Governor Baker signed a climate change law earlier this month.
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The law includes a trigger, according to experts, that says that once California decided to implement zero-emission vehicles, Massachusetts must do the same. Since California made that decision Thursday, regulators here must now begin to work on the details and put auto dealers, along with the public, on notice that the change will be coming.
"California had to go first according to federal law, and now states can piggyback on to the California rule, which Governor Baker has pledged to do," Larry Chretien of the Green Energy Consumers Alliance said. "The legislature is now requiring that and so now the next step is for the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection to write the regulations that will make it happen."
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This new rule will only apply to the sale of new vehicles. The goal of the law is to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions and increase the number of electric vehicles on roadways. Experts say that while this rule is 13 years away, they hope it encourages change sooner.
"Every year until 2035, an increasing percentage of new cars registered in Massachusetts will have to be electric and we'll eventually get to 100% electric cars by 2035," Chretien said.
Experts have also emphasized that infrastructure will need to be improved, so that electric vehicle charging stations are more widely available.
Ed Eggert, who drives an electric vehicle, hopes the switch to electric will be good for the economy.
"Obviously there’s got to be investment in more chargers, and making sure those chargers are well-maintained, but the quicker we can get off fossil fuels, the more stable our economy will be," he said.
Not everyone, though, is convinced it's a good idea.
"I think it’s absurd, our power grid cannot handle electric cars at that magnitude," Angela Schilling said. "So to add millions and millions of them on the road is absolutely ridiculous."
