NJ pushes ahead with 2035 gas car ban despite federal backlash and bipartisan resistance
Trenton, NJ — New Jersey is holding firm on a sweeping mandate to ban the sale of new gas-powered vehicles by 2035, pushing forward with one of the nation’s most aggressive zero-emission vehicle policies despite growing opposition from Congress, industry groups, and bipartisan critics.
Adopted in March 2023 under the state’s alignment with California’s Advanced Clean Cars II (ACC II) rule, the regulation requires 100% of new passenger vehicle sales to be zero-emission by 2035. The state’s rollout begins with a 43% requirement for model year 2027. The rule does not prohibit ownership or use of existing gas-powered vehicles but aims to phase them out from new sales over time.
The plan has drawn sharp pushback from a growing coalition that includes labor unions, business groups, and lawmakers who warn the policy could drive up costs, stress the state’s power grid, and limit consumer choice in a market still dominated by internal combustion vehicles.
On Capitol Hill, the effort to counter the emissions crackdown gained traction earlier this year when the U.S. Senate passed a resolution — H.J.Res.88 — to overturn the Environmental Protection Agency’s waiver that allows California and aligned states like New Jersey to set tougher vehicle emission standards than federal guidelines.
If the resolution is signed into law, it could potentially invalidate New Jersey’s legal authority to enforce the 2035 ban.
New Jersey Democrats on Capitol Hill, including Mikie Sherrill voted for the gas car ban.
Despite the congressional action, key New Jersey Democrats have remained aligned with the mandate. Rep. Mikie Sherrill (D-NJ) voted against the resolution in the House, along with nearly every Democrat in the state delegation. Only Republican Reps. Thomas Kean Jr., Chris Smith, and Jeff Van Drew voted in support of the repeal.
Several lawmakers, including Rep. Josh Gottheimer and Rep. Donald Norcross, were marked as not voting.
In the Senate, both Cory Booker and Andy Kim cast ‘nay’ votes, signaling continued support for the zero-emissions plan and Phil Murphy’s gas car ban.
The Murphy administration has not indicated any plan to reverse course, even as calls mount from across party lines for a reevaluation of the state’s readiness. Critics say electric vehicle infrastructure remains uneven and warn that the state’s power grid may not be equipped to support the transition at the speed mandated.
The rule, however, remains on track — with zero-emission sales targets tightening incrementally starting with the 2027 model year.
Key Points
- New Jersey adopted California’s Advanced Clean Cars II regulation in 2023, mandating 100% new zero-emission vehicle sales by 2035
- Congress passed a resolution to overturn the EPA waiver authorizing stricter emissions rules, threatening the policy’s legal foundation
- Most NJ Democrats, including Mikie Sherrill, voted against the federal resolution while Republicans backed it
New Jersey isn’t pumping the brakes on its 2035 gas car sales ban—even as Washington moves to cut the engine.
