New Jersey’s 2035 Gas Car Ban May Prompt Cross-State Purchases
Trenton, NJ – New Jersey’s ban on the sale of new gas-powered vehicles by 2035, a part of the state’s Advanced Clean Cars II rule, represents a significant step towards reducing carbon emissions and combatting climate change. However, this rule applies only to sales within the state, leaving a loophole for residents who may choose to purchase gas-powered vehicles from neighboring states and bring them back to New Jersey.
That means car dealers in New Jersey will be stocked full of vehicles that as of today, most people don’t want to buy.
The rule requires all new cars sold in New Jersey to be electric by 2035, aiming to decrease the state’s carbon footprint and address climate pollution from the transportation sector, which is the largest source of emissions in New Jersey. This move follows similar regulations enacted in California and other states, reflecting a growing trend towards electric vehicles (EVs) as part of broader climate change mitigation efforts.
“While we can all work to reduce carbon emissions, the ban of gas-powered cars in such an expedited time frame will put a heavy strain on the limited resources of families, businesses, government and our utilities,” said NJBIA Deputy Chief Government Affairs Officer Ray Cantor.
Despite the environmental benefits touted by supporters of the ban, critics argue that the restriction on sales within New Jersey does not prevent residents from buying gas-powered cars elsewhere. This potential for cross-state vehicle purchases raises questions about the effectiveness of the ban in achieving its intended environmental goals. Industry groups have voiced concerns that the ban could lead to increased costs for consumers, strain on the state’s infrastructure, and negative impacts on the local auto industry.
“This also sends a bad message to New Jersey businesses when they’re encouraging our consumers to go out of state to make a major purchase,” Cantor said.
Furthermore, the ban’s focus on new vehicle sales means that the used car market in New Jersey could still see a circulation of gas-powered vehicles, which might slow down the transition to a fully electric vehicle fleet in the state. The debate over the ban underscores the complexities of implementing environmental policies within the federal structure of the United States, where state-level actions may be circumvented by cross-border activities.
As New Jersey moves forward with its ambitious 2035 timeline, the conversation around the ban highlights the need for comprehensive strategies that address potential loopholes and ensure the state’s environmental policies lead to meaningful reductions in carbon emissions. This might include incentives for EV purchases, investments in charging infrastructure, and regional cooperation to create a more unified approach to vehicle emissions standards across states.
In conclusion, while New Jersey’s ban on the sale of new gas-powered cars by 2035 is a bold step towards environmental sustainability, its impact could be diluted by residents purchasing vehicles out of state. Addressing this challenge will require careful policy planning and collaboration to ensure that New Jersey’s climate goals are not undermined by cross-state vehicle purchases.