Summary

The Biden administration will allow California to ban new gas-powered car sales by 2035, with 11 other states following. This uses a Clean Air Act waiver permitting stricter state-level pollution controls to curb greenhouse gas emissions.

Trump plans to revoke the waiver, roll back EV tax credits, and fight California’s climate policies, potentially sparking legal battles.

California, leading the U.S. in EV adoption, aims to “Trump-proof” its agenda, bolstered by automaker deals and strong market influence.

The ban could accelerate EV investments, shaping nearly half of the U.S. auto market and global climate policy trends.

Non-paywall link

  • @Subtracty
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    412 hours ago

    Most people can’t afford EVs anyway. At this point, there will just be older and older gas-powered vehicles on the road.

    Would love it if Musk could actually solve a fucking problem every once in a while, instead of running his mouth about the hundred other things he claims to have a solution to. Make a functional and cheap EV, no stupid bells and whistles, no gimmicks.

    I know there are other car manufacturers, but they are too concerned about the bottom line. Musk effectively has more money than god. He can afford to take a loss for the greater good. He just never will.

    • @Cocodapuf
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      8 hours ago

      Most people can’t afford EVs anyway

      Well yeah, most people buy used cars. But a used ev of a given year is likely to be in a similar price range as a comparable gas engine car. The question is, is there sufficient availability of used electric cars? From the sound of it, there will be in CA by 2035. Certainly, if everyone buying new cars is buying electric, then the number is used EVs available will skyrocket.

      And either way, I’m sure this regulation is about new cars, nobody is going to stop you from buying a used 2025 civic in 2035, that’s fine. I mean the car already exists, it would be environmentally negligent to replace it as long as it still runs. You just can’t buy a new ice car after that.

      I’m curious though, does this regulation ban hybrids?

      • @Subtracty
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        28 hours ago

        nobody is going to stop you from buying a used 2025 civic in 2035, that’s fine

        This is what I meant, cars already in circulation having longer lives. I frankly don’t know anything about used EVs, but plenty of people I know can list reliable gas powered cars that will run for incredibly long times with a little love. We need EVs to be manageable cars of the people that can be maintained at home on a budget and not proprietary dealerships.

        It wasn’t my aim to discredit the bill, only to complain that Musk is useless and will line his pockets before actually creating something that is useful for the public.

        • @Cocodapuf
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          7 hours ago

          But the thing is, you’ll also be able to buy a 2025 Tesla in 2035, and the price probably won’t be far off from the civic. In other words, there’s no problem here.

          • @JamesTBagg
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            36 hours ago

            Except Honda and those Civics have established a reputation of running forever. Tesla cannot claim the same.

            • Blaster M
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              -16 hours ago

              So the taxi duty Teslas with 1,000,000+ miles don’t count?

              • @JamesTBagg
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                35 hours ago

                Which one is that? The one you made up or the one that was famous for it and needing the drive motor replaced over a dozen times?

      • @Subtracty
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        68 hours ago

        I have never in my life purchased a new car. They are too expensive. Most normal people that I know also have only ever bought a car from a used car lot. I have always considered leasing a car to be throwing away money. So, like a lot of people, I drive beaters that I can actually afford.

        The $55k might be reasonable compared to the average new car, but look around you on the road. Lots of 7+ year old cars…most people can’t afford $55k with or without a rebate. I know that is just the price of doing business, and nothing is likely to suddenly cost $10k. But for the average person, this just means driving their fossil fuel burning car longer until they can figure something out.