New York is just the latest to follow California’s lead in transitioning to battery electric cars and plug-in hybrids. Governor Kathy Hochul has said that new cars sold in NY will be required to be electric or hybrid by 2035

California will require all new cars sold there to be electric or plug-in hybrids by 2035, and now, it looks like New York will too. As reported by Reuters, New York Governor Kathy Hochul has said as much, signaling a big change in the cleanliness of the Empire State’s air.

A gradual transition

This transition cannot happen overnight. California’s own forecasts indicate that 35% of new cars will have to be zero emissions by 2026, with that target rising to 68% by the end of the decade. This puts most of the pressure on car companies to make enough electrified vehicles for all customers in California, New York and anywhere else that adopts the deadline.

California has set a great example

The Hill quotes Hochul as saying, “We had to wait for California to step up because there are some federal requirements that California had to meet first; It’s the only time we let them go first.” She is referring to the Clean Air Act, which allows California to set its own emissions standards. It must then obtain a waiver from the Environmental Protection Agency before other states can officially join.

“With sustained state and federal investment, our actions are incentivizing New Yorkers, local governments and businesses to transition to electric vehicles,” Hochul said.

More US states seek change

New York is not alone in following the lead of the California Air Resources Board. Washington expressed interest in doing the same almost immediately, and more than a dozen states in all have historically based their emissions regulations on California’s. This is why the 2035 deadline is gaining so much momentum, regardless of whether these states are actually ready for that change.

Lack of infrastructure for EVs

Public charging infrastructure remains a looming hurdle for everyone, including California and New York. Hochul noted Thursday that the New York Power Authority had just installed its 100th high-speed charger as part of its EVolve NY charging network, which is certainly key. However, it will have to increase that number greatly to support all the electrified cars on the road. As we have seen, this is easier said than done.

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