By Matthew Polyak

According to The State Department of Environmental Protection and Governor Phil Murphy, New Jersey will join the list of states vowing to ban the sale of new gasoline-powered vehicles by 2035 in an attempt to reduce planet-warming pollutants and improve overall air quality.

The movement, known as California’s Advanced Clean Cars II rule, was initiated by California Governor Gavin Newsom and was passed by a regulatory board in mid-2022.

New Jersey will join states such as California, Vermont, Washington, Oregon, Massachusetts, Virginia, Rhode Island,
Maryland, and Connecticut in their pledge to follow some or all of California’s plan to lower emissions and pollutants by banning newly-produced gas powered cars.

Governor Murphy justified his decision in a press conference on November 21st, 2023:

“The steps we take today to lower emissions will improve air quality and mitigate climate impacts for generations to come, all while increasing access to cleaner car choices. Indeed, together with my Administration’s continuing investments in voluntary electric vehicle incentives, charging infrastructure, and the green economy, these new standards will preserve consumer choice and promote affordability for hardworking New Jerseyans across the state.”

The rule will take effect on January 1st and will not affect the use or ownership of existing gas-powered vehicles or used car sales. New Jersey has already adopted an emissions standard for trucks, which also originated from California. Under the rule, manufacturers must ensure that 43% of new “light-duty” vehicles they make in 2027 are electric, with the percentage rising annually to 100% by 2035. Most consumer cars and pickup trucks are considered as “light-duty” vehicles. Of course, this new action by the State of New Jersey has divided opinions.

Environmentalists and climate change activists have praised the action taken by New Jersey. One group called the New Jersey Sierra Club endorsed the announcement:

“This is a huge win not only for the environment, but for public health and the communities who suffer every day from the pollution from congested roadways.”

On the contrary, car dealerships, retailers, and auto mechanics have criticized New Jersey for following the plan. The New Jersey Coalition of Automotive Retailers believed that it is “an extreme government mandate” and also released a statement.

“NJ CAR is calling on the legislature to exercise its crucial role in oversight of state agency rule-making and to engage all stakeholders in reviewing whether this extreme California rule is appropriate for the citizens of New Jersey”

The environmental concerns are valid, but not enough to take such an extreme measure. For example, electric vehicles require specific charging stations in places such as malls, schools, workplaces, etc. This of course would hurt rural areas of New Jersey, which are far behind urban areas in building the infrastructure that would be needed to charge electric vehicles. Where would the finances come from to fund such a task? New Jersey already has high-enough taxes and other places of more importance where the money needs to be directed.

The cost of installing such chargers in homes or buying electric vehicles, which are disproportionally more expensive than gas-powered cars could weigh heavy on the lower to middle income class of residents. This announcement from the Governor just doesn’t take those people into account.

The job security of mechanics, gas station workers, and auto shop workers would fall into jeopardy. Specific work that is done on gas cars would not need to be done on electric cars, and that could put not only the workers income at risk, but the main companies revenue at risk.

New Jersey economy would also take a hit as a result of this mandate. Car manufacturers have noted that they have hundreds of electric vehicles that pile up and are never sold at certain locations. Gas powered cars are more preferred, more financially convenient, and more profitable. Car manufacturers and dealerships may just pull out of the state, causing New Jersey to lose money via taxes and other means.

What interests me is whether state officials will participate in the act. Will government workers be forced to buy electric vehicles? Will the governor drive one himself? Or will it turn into a “rules for thee but not for me” type of situation?

While the idea of banning gas cars for more environmentally friendly electric vehicles may seem like a good idea, it is a task that is quite unpopular, and I believe that New Jersey should see that and reverse its decision.