How California’s New Gas-Powered Car Ban Will Affect Arizona

If you've ever been to Southern California and seen that hazy film (read: SMOG) hanging in the sky, you might be able to understand some of their motivation for this law.

California is at it again. They've just been sanctioned by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to create a law that will impact the automotive industry far beyond the borders of the state.

The EPA just granted the Golden State the authority to ban the sale of new gas-powered cars by 2035. Setting aside the environmental disaster of spent batteries dying in landfills, they're targeting vehicle emissions, which they believe will tackle climate change head-on.

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How California's Gas-Vehicle Ban Could Affect Arizona

As the seventh largest economy in the world, no law created in California is ever exclusive to the state.

For example, California's Prop 12 was passed in 2018, prohibiting the sale of animal products in California unless the animal is held in an area that meets at least minimum requirements. That meant farmers nationwide had to retool their operations if they planned to sell meat or eggs in the Golden State.

Not selling in California (again, the world's seventh-largest economy) would have hurt them even more. As a result, the price of meat like beef, bacon, and eggs all jumped.

So, what could the new EPA-sanctioned electric vehicle law mean for Arizona? It's a bit of a mixed bag. Like Prop 12, California's rules don't directly apply to other states; those who don't follow California's lead on emissions standards would face economic impact.

This could mean other states have to enforce emissions standards, and the cost of traditional vehicles could become prohibitive.

READ: Arizona's Summer Road Trip Woes: Gas Prices On The Rise

Transitioning to electric vehicles (EVs) will hit us right in the wallet. Not to mention the cost of retrofitting homes and the electrical grid for charging stations.

California plans to gradually phase out gas-powered cars, with a complete ban on new sales by 2035. The state will also implement stricter emissions standards for heavy-duty vehicles.

At this stage, the rules for visitors driving traditional, gas-powered vehicles in the state are unknown.

This law will face pushback and could be completely reversed by President Trump. Don't get too comfortable. If history is our guide, California will try this again, and next time it will affect Arizona.

Sources: ABC News | Associated Press | FeedAndGrain.com