In a move to decrease air pollution, Maryland has adopted to pursue California’s precedent of barring the sale of new gas-powered vehicles by 2035. This decision has been made in order to move toward clean transportation and promote a greener society.
The Maryland Department of the Environment announced this mandate on Wednesday, making it the second state in the US to have such a law. The ban is part of an effort to meet the state’s greenhouse gas emissions reduction goals.
The legislation forbids the sale of all new gas-powered cars and light-duty trucks starting in 2035. This does not apply to used cars, nor does it require any vehicles to be taken off the road.
The move is intended to decrease emissions from vehicles, which make up the majority of the state’s greenhouse gas emissions. It is estimated that the law will reduce emissions from the transportation sector by over 30% by 2030.
The ban is part of a broader strategy to reduce emissions, which includes increasing the use of electric vehicles, investing in public transportation, and encouraging walking and biking.
Governor Larry Hogan, a Republican, has voiced his support for the measure. He said in a statement that it will help the state meet its goals of reducing greenhouse gas emissions and promoting clean energy.
The move has been met with some opposition from Republicans, who argue that the mandate will be an economic burden on consumers. They point out that electric vehicles are more expensive than gas-powered cars and that the infrastructure to support the vehicles is not yet in place.
Despite this opposition, the mandate is likely to pass. It will likely face a legal battle, however, as some states have challenged California’s similar law in court.
In a bid to minimize air pollution, Maryland has decided to follow California’s lead and prohibit the sale of new gas-powered vehicles by 2035. This measure, which is part of a larger effort to reduce emissions from the transportation sector, has been endorsed by Governor Larry Hogan. The law, however, has been met with resistance from some Republican legislators who cite economic and infrastructural concerns. Nevertheless, the mandate is expected to pass and could be challenged in court, as other states have done with California’s similar law.