California to Ban the Sale of Diesel Vehicles by 2036

By Jackson Kincaid

In Brief:

California has passed a bill that if approved by Biden, would ban the sale of traditional combustible engines by 2036. The new bill will be putting the majority of long-haul trucks out of business. 

The Background: 

Fox Business reports that big rigs, local delivery and government fleets must transition by 2035, garbage trucks and local buses must be zero-emission by 2039 and all other vehicles covered by the rules must be zero-emission by 2042, according to the office of Gov. Gavin Newsom.

Companies will be required to disclose their use of big rigs by 2024. 

Gov. Newsom stated: "The future happens here first, and California is once again showing the world what real climate action looks like. Last year, our state approved one of the world’s first regulations requiring all new car sales to be zero emissions. Now, with these actions requiring all new heavy-duty truck sales to be zero emission and tackling train pollution in our state, we’re one step closer to achieving healthier neighborhoods and cleaner air for all Californians."

6 of the top 10 most ozone-polluted cities in the US are in Newsom’s California, according to the American Lung Association's State of the Air report.

Notable Quotes: 

"The two regulations work in tandem to drastically cut air pollution – especially in disadvantaged communities – and achieve Governor Newsom’s bold vision for [zero emissions vehicles] in California." – Gov. Newsom’s office