Another State Joins California in Banning New Gas Car Sales

Massachusetts is following California’s lead in the effort to make gas-guzzling cars a thing of the past.

The state recently announced that it will ban the sale of gasoline-powered vehicles beginning in 2035. That is the same year that a similar ban is slated to take effect in the Golden State. Both moves are meant to tackle the health and environmental impacts of carbon emissions

“The people of Massachusetts are experiencing record droughts, increased risk of wildfire, severe weather, and flooding in our coastal communities,” Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker said in a news release announcing the ban. “The costly impacts of climate change are on display in the Commonwealth, making it critical that we take action.”

California Gov. Gavin Newsom issued an executive order calling for the ban in September. The restrictions will apply to new car sales only, meaning that gas vehicles can still be sold on the used car market.

Transportation is to blame for some half of California’s greenhouse gas emissions, according to the state air resources board. It is also the source of 80 percent of smog-forming pollution and 95 percent of toxic diesel emissions

Although the bans are still 15 years out, not everyone is so sure that there will be enough electric vehicles--and charging stations--available to meet demand in California by 2035.

“The biggest problem is that the infrastructure is not there to support every single new vehicle,” auto industry expert Ivan Drury recently told the San Diego Union-Tribune. “Think about people in apartment buildings or a condo. How are you suddenly going to prop up hundreds of charging stations, and where is this energy going to come from?”

Meanwhile, major auto manufacturers around the world are increasingly turning their focus to electric vehicles. 

Mazda recently announced that it is bringing its MX-30 crossover sport utility vehicle stateside, marking the Japanese automaker’s first electric offering in the U.S. Ford caught the attention of vehicle buyers and industry observers in September when the company said the upcoming electric version of its popular F150 truck will be significantly less expensive than the gas version.

How a California Lemon Law Attorney Can Help You

California’s lemon law offers some important rights and protections to car owners and lessors in the Golden State. 

The law requires carmakers to perform various repairs on vehicles while they are under warranty. It also forces manufacturers to buy back - or, in some cases, replace - cars that the company is unable or not willing to fix.

California lemon law attorney Brian Bickel and his team at Bickel Sannipoli APC have represented hundreds of clients in defective vehicle cases across the state. Our lawyers work aggressively to resolve these cases for the people that we represent, guiding them through the legal process every step of the way.

Our offices are conveniently located in Los Angeles, San Diego, and San Francisco. Call us at (888) 800-1983 or contact us online to speak with a California lemon law attorney.