In a groundbreaking move aimed at accelerating the pace of transition towards electric mobility, the government of New Jersey has announced a bold initiative -- to ban sales of new gas-powered vehicles by 2035. Igniting the pathway toward a zero-emission future for light-duty vehicles in New jersey, Governor Phil Murphy’s office released a statement, providing details of the implementation of the Advanced Clean Cars II rule, which is believed to be crucial to reshape the state’s automotive landscape.

Effective from the year of 2027, the aforementioned rule mandates that vehicle producers must ensure that a minimum of 42 per cent of their respective vehicle sales consist of zero-emission vehicles, and it will keep on escalating every year until the state achieving a momentous milestone, with a complete transition to 100 per cent zero-emission vehicle sales by 2035. Notably, EVs currently constitute only around 12 per cent of all new vehicle sales in the state, as per stats released by the governor's office.

The visionary legislation in question (Advanced Clean Cars II) not only sets strict standards for traditional internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles but also seeks to improve quality of air in the state.

Governor Murphy emphasized that the implementation of the Advanced Clean Cars II rule would bolster the state’s leadership in climate action, in addition to improving air quality and combating climate impacts while expanding access to cleaner vehicle choices for generations ahead.

A statement released by the governor’s office states, “By filing the landmark Advanced Clean Cars II rule, New Jersey builds upon its standing as a national leader in climate action and its participation in the global Accelerating to Zero commitment. The steps we take today to lower emissions will improve air quality and mitigate climate impacts for generations to come.”

Emphasizing the multifaceted approach, Governor Murphy also highlighted his administration’s sustained investments in EV incentives, charging infrastructure, and the green economy. While the official announcement doesn't explicitly outline immediate investment plans for charging infrastructure, the governor has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to bolstering charging accessibility statewide. To date, the state has supported the installation of 2,980 charging stations, totaling 5,271 ports across 680 locations.

New Jersey’s significant move positions it as the ninth state in the U.S. to embrace a complete ban on future sales of ICE-powered vehicles, aligning itself with trailblazers like California, Connecticut, Massachusetts, New York, Oregon, and Washington in this eco-conscious endeavor.