Governor Kathy Hochul said that New York would follow California’s example and require that all new vehicles, pickup trucks, and SUVs sold in the state be either EVs or plug-in hybrids. To meet that target, 35 percent of new automobiles must be zero-emission by 2026, and 60 percent must be zero-emission by 2030. By 2035, all new school buses must be zero emissions. Before the regulations are implemented, a public hearing will be conducted.
Hochul directed the state’s environmental agency to develop rules comparable to those approved by California, which call for the abolition of all fossil-fuel-only automobile sales by 2035. These regulations come into effect last month, with the goal of reducing passenger car emissions by 25% by 2037, with 9.5 fewer internal-combustion engine (ICE) only vehicles sold by 2035.
California’s activities are being closely monitored by the state for a reason. California is authorized to establish its own pollution limits under the Clean Air Act, but other states are not. They may, however, follow California after it acts, thus California must lead the way for any emissions regulations enacted by individual states.
In addition, the governor announced a $10 million Drive Clean Rebate Program. This provides citizens with a $2,000 refund toward the purchase of more than 60 EVs and plug-in hybrids, in addition to the $7,500 federal tax credit. So far, the state has spent $92 million on the program. As part of the EVolve charging network, the state recently announced the installation of its 100th fast charger.
