Today’s Solutions: September 19, 2026

We wrote recently about New York City’s plan to create an expansive electrical vehicle (EV) charging network as part of an initiative to slash the city’s carbon emissions. New York is also taking another significant step towards this goal by banning the sale of all gas-powered vehicles in the entire state by 2035.

Just this past week, a bill amending the state’s environmental conservation law was passed by the state’s Senate and Assembly and signed by Governor Kathy Hochul.

In accordance with the new law, 100 percent of in-state sales of new passenger cars and trucks must have zero emissions by 2035. This means state agencies have to develop affordable powering options for zero-emissions vehicles in all communities, flesh out a bicycle and pedestrian options, and support sustainable transportation.

Several agencies are already working to create a zero-emissions vehicle market development strategy by 2023, which will ensure that more zero-emission cars are available for residents.

California Governor Gavin Newsom signed similar legislation last year that also banned the sale of new gas-powered passenger cars and trucks starting in 2035.

According to a statement from the governor’s office, if California reaches its goal, then the state would achieve more than a 35 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions.

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