Gas Car "Phase Out" States In 2026

 

Learn which states have adopted 2035 gas-car phaseout rules, what the rules actually do and where other watch states stand now.

Updated: September 2026

Gas Car “Phase Out” States In 2026

If you are searching for gas car phase out states, the most important thing to know is that there is no nationwide U.S. gas car ban.

While the US has not yet joined the many countries around the world setting a new gas vehicle sales phaseout date, multiple states have committed to follow California’s gas vehicle phaseout and Advanced Clean Cars II (“ACC II”) regulation to end sales of new gas cars by 2035. 

Most headlines use dramatic shorthand, but these policies usually apply to new passenger-vehicle sales — not to people who already own gas cars, drive gas-powered vehicles, or buy used gasoline cars.

What this article really covers is which states are beginning to phase in cleaner new vehicles and expand access to options that can cost less to fuel, produce less pollution, and reduce dependence on gasoline. In other words, these policies are often better understood as a phase-in of cleaner vehicles, not a ban on existing cars. The bigger idea is about helping more people move toward cleaner, more practical vehicles that are more affordable to fuel and maintain. 

The legal picture is also unusually complicated in 2026. Federal action against California's ACC II waiver and ongoing litigation mean that an adopted state rule does not necessarily have the same current enforcement status in every state. This guide separates the adopted policy from its current implementation and legal status.

 

Gas Car Phaseouts: Quick Answers

Are gas cars going away?
Gradually, but there is no nationwide U.S. deadline that makes gasoline cars illegal.

Will gas cars be banned in 2035?
Some states have adopted rules designed to phase out sales of new gasoline-only passenger vehicles by model year 2035. Existing and used gas cars are not banned by those rules.

Can you still drive a gas car after 2035?
Yes. The major state phaseout policies concern new-vehicle sales and manufacturer requirements, not whether you can keep driving an existing gas car.

Can you buy a used gas car after 2035?
Yes. The policies discussed here do not generally prohibit used gasoline-car sales.

When will gas cars stop being made?
There is no single U.S. or auto-industry date when manufacturers must stop producing gasoline vehicles everywhere.

 
 

In This Article

  1. What States Are Banning Gas Cars?
  2. What States Will Ban Gas Cars By 2035?
  3. When Will Gas Cars Be Phased Out In The U.S.?
  4. U.S. Gas-Powered Vehicle Phaseout Timeline
  5. What Are CARB States?
  6. Gas Car Phaseout States Chart
  7. Other States To Watch
  8. Are States Banning Older Gas Cars?
  9. When Will Automakers Stop Making Gas Cars?
  10. U.S. Cities Taking Steps
  11. Gas Car Ban FAQ
 
 

What States Are Banning Gas Cars?

A group of 12 states - California, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Colorado, Delaware, New Mexico and Washington plus Washington D.C. - have adopted policies that phase in cleaner new vehicles over time by setting requirements for new passenger-vehicle sales. No U.S. state is completely banning gas cars.

Nine of the 12 states — plus Washington, D.C. — have adopted the full California-linked ACC II pathway through model year 2035. The ACC II pathway moves toward all new passenger vehicles meeting zero-emission standards by model year 2035 if the rules remain in effect. California, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Washington have adopted this framework. Washington, D.C. has also adopted this framework.

Other states often included in lists of gas car phase out states — including Colorado, Delaware, and New Mexico — have adopted related clean-car standards, but their current rules are more limited and do not yet follow the same full 2035 pathway.

  • These rules affect new vehicle sales. They do not make existing gas cars illegal, and they do not ban used gas-car sales.
  • The jurisdictions below are all included because they have adopted an ACC II, ACC II-style, or similar clean vehicle sales framework for new passenger vehicles. But they are not all currently active in exactly the same way. Some are fully moving forward under their adopted rules, while others are operating under enforcement discretion, temporary pauses, delayed penalties, time-limited program designs, or other near-term implementation changes.
  • That is why the Status column matters: it shows whether a program is fully active, partially paused, time-limited, or being administered with added flexibility.

Learn more about each state's specific phase out plans and status in the gas car phase out states chart below.

 

What States Will Ban Gas Cars By 2035?

The jurisdictions with the clearest adopted ACC II pathway through model year 2035 are California, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington, and Washington, D.C.

Under the ACC II framework as adopted, manufacturer requirements were designed to rise from 35% qualifying new vehicles in model year 2026 to 68% in 2030 and 100% in 2035. Qualifying battery-electric and hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles count toward the requirement, and automakers can use qualifying plug-in hybrid vehicles for a limited share of compliance.

This is not a ban on existing gas cars. A driver can continue to own, drive, repair, and resell an existing gasoline vehicle after 2035. The policy is aimed at the mix of new passenger vehicles manufacturers can sell in covered jurisdictions.

Colorado, Delaware, and New Mexico should be kept separate from that full 2035 group. They have significant clean-car standards, but their current timelines or structures differ from the complete ACC II-through-MY2035 pathway.

There is also an important legal caveat: the federal government and Congress took action against California's ACC II waiver in 2025, and California and other states are challenging that action in court. For that reason, the table below distinguishes between a rule being adopted and its current implementation or enforcement status.

 
 

When Will Gas Cars Be Banned Or Phased Out In The U.S.?

There is no single U.S. gas-car phaseout date. The federal government has not established a nationwide year when existing gasoline cars become illegal or when all new gasoline vehicles must stop being sold.

Instead, the U.S. gas-powered vehicle phaseout is a patchwork of state policies, many of which were modeled on California's Advanced Clean Cars II program.

The 2035 date commonly seen in headlines refers primarily to adopted state standards for new passenger vehicles, and their future enforceability remains tied to ongoing legal and policy developments.

U.S. Gas-Powered Vehicle Sales Phaseout Timeline

Year What It Means
2025 Federal action created a major legal dispute over California's waiver authority for ACC II, and California and other states filed suit.
2026 ACC II was designed to begin with a 35% requirement for qualifying new vehicles in participating MY2026 jurisdictions, although actual implementation now varies by state because of enforcement discretion and the federal dispute.
2027-2034 The adopted ACC II schedule increases the required share of qualifying new vehicles over time, while different states have different start dates and current compliance approaches.
2035 The full ACC II framework was designed to reach a 100% qualifying-new-vehicle requirement. This does not prohibit owning or driving an existing gasoline vehicle.

For further information:

  • For a broader look beyond the main phaseout jurisdictions, see the second state chart, which covers Connecticut, Hawaiʻi, Illinois, Maine, Minnesota, Nevada, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Wisconsin. These states are still important because of live rulemakings, coalition activity, earlier California-linked standards, or recent shifts in policy direction.
  • You can also visit the cities section to see how places like Los Angeles, Washington, D.C., San Diego, Seattle, New York City, Denver, Boston, Baltimore, and San Francisco are pushing local EV adoption, charging, and fleet electrification.

  • For a broader international picture, see Gasoline Vehicle Phaseout Advances Around The World. It tracks gas car bans, ICE bans, and phaseout targets around the world while also showing how U.S. state policy fits into the bigger shift away from gasoline.

  • For a California-specific breakdown, see The California Ban On Gas Cars — What You Need To Know In 2026. It explains how California’s new-sales rule works, what changed in 2025 and 2026, and why existing and used gas cars are not banned.

 
 

What Are CARB States?

"CARB states" is an informal term commonly used for states that have adopted some California vehicle-emissions standards under Section 177 of the federal Clean Air Act.

However, being called a CARB state does not automatically mean a state has adopted Advanced Clean Cars II or a 2035 phaseout of new gasoline-only vehicles. States can adopt different generations or portions of California's vehicle standards, and their current policies can differ substantially.

That is why this guide does not treat every state that follows some California emissions rules as a "2035 gas car ban state." The main chart focuses on jurisdictions with a current ACC II, ACC II-style, or comparable clean-vehicle sales framework, while the Other States To Watch section covers states with earlier standards, proposals, coalition activity, or recently changed policies.

 

U.S. Gas Car Phaseout

This map shows the 12 states and Washington, D.C. in the main chart only. It separates the 10 jurisdictions on the ACC II through MY 2035 framework from the 3 other currently active main-chart jurisdictions that are not on that same MY 2035 framework.

  • It should be read as a map of adopted policy frameworks, not as a guarantee that every requirement is currently being enforced exactly as originally adopted.
  • Every jurisdiction in this map has adopted an ACC II, ACC II-style, or similar clean vehicle sales policy for new passenger vehicles, but they are not all in the same current posture.
  • Some are fully adopted, while others are subject to enforcement discretion, temporary pauses, delayed penalties, federal litigation, or time-limited rules.
  • Read the Status column carefully in the chart above for that reason.
  • These programs regulate new vehicle sales and manufacturer obligations — not ownership of existing gas cars and not used-car sales.
What the colors mean: Dark teal = jurisdictions on the ACC II through MY 2035 framework. Light teal = other currently active main-chart jurisdictions (Colorado, Delaware, and New Mexico) that are still in the main chart, but are not in the same MY 2035 bucket. States in the separate “Other States To Watch” table are not highlighted on this map.
ACC II Through MY 2035 Framework — CA, MD, MA, NJ, NY, OR, RI, VT, WA, DC
Other Active Main-Chart Jurisdictions — CO, DE, NM
U.S. Gas Car Phaseout Policy Map A United States map showing 12 states and Washington, D.C. in the main chart. Jurisdictions on the ACC II through model year 2035 framework are shown in dark teal. Colorado, Delaware, and New Mexico are shown in light teal as other active main-chart jurisdictions. These policies affect new vehicle sales and manufacturer obligations. They do not make existing gas cars illegal and do not ban used gas-car sales.
Loading map…
 
 

Gas Car Phase Out States Charts

Below is a quick, source-first reference for where Advanced Clean Cars II and similar clean vehicle sales standards have been adopted or implemented — including the rule type, a plain-English overview, a brief status, and direct links to the relevant pages with more information. 

Important Notes: 

  • These policies regulate new passenger-vehicle sales. They do not make existing gas cars illegal.
  • Many jurisdictions adopt California-linked standards under Clean Air Act “Section 177,” so enforceability can shift with federal waiver actions and court outcomes.
  • Policy status can change quickly. Last update: September 2026. 
 

Federal Posture (ACC II Waiver + CRA + Litigation) — Updated September 2026

What this means: California and several other jurisdictions adopted ACC II or California-linked standards, but their current enforceability cannot be described as fully settled while the federal waiver dispute remains unresolved. CARB’s emergency regulations preserve specified predecessor standards while the litigation proceeds, and a separate 2026 federal rollback of vehicle greenhouse-gas regulation adds another layer of uncertainty. Read the state chart as a snapshot of adopted policy plus current state implementation posture, not as a guarantee of the final court outcome.

 

ACC II and ACC II-like policies — rule type, overview, status, and key sources
Jurisdiction Rule Type Brief Overview Status Sources
California ACC II (through MY 2035) California’s Advanced Clean Cars II sets a year-by-year manufacturer standard that ramps up the share of new passenger cars and light-duty trucks that meet zero-emission standards, including battery-electric, hydrogen fuel-cell, and a limited plug-in hybrid pathway. It affects new sales, not owning or selling used gas cars. Adopted in California. EPA granted the associated ACC II waiver in the January 2025 Federal Register notice, but Public Law 119-16 later disapproved that waiver action. California and allied states are challenging the federal action, and that case remains pending as of September 2026. See the separate Federal Posture section for the current legal context.
Colorado Clean Cars Standard (manufacturer sales/credit standard) Colorado’s Clean Cars Standard is a state-run manufacturer sales and credit requirement that increases the share of new light-duty vehicles that are qualifying electric vehicles over time, including battery-electric, plug-in hybrid electric, and fuel-cell electric vehicles. It is not a single “ban date” — compliance is tracked annually under state rules. Adopted in state rules. Colorado’s model-year 2027 through 2032 clean-car schedule reaches an 82% qualifying electric-vehicle requirement in MY 2032. Its structure is different from the full ACC II-through-MY2035 pathway.
Delaware ACC II-style (time-limited under current regulation) Delaware adopted a California-linked, credit-based clean vehicle standard for new passenger cars and light-duty trucks for the model years specified in the state’s program design. It does not prohibit owning, driving, or selling used gas cars. Adopted. Delaware’s current program design is time-limited: it starts with MY 2027, ramps through MY 2032, and expires in MY 2033 unless updated.
Maryland ACC II (Maryland program adoption) Maryland adopted California-linked ACC II requirements for new passenger cars and light-duty trucks. State executive actions and implementation materials describe how the program is administered and how early model-year compliance is handled. Adopted. A 2025 executive order directs enforcement discretion for ACC II ZEV delivery shortfalls for MY 2027 and MY 2028, subject to the conditions in the order.
Massachusetts ACC II (through MA LEV framework) Massachusetts implements California-linked clean car standards through its Low Emission Vehicle program. The state has also issued compliance guidance describing how near-term ACC II requirements are handled. Adopted. MassDEP is exercising enforcement discretion for the ACC II ZEV sales requirements for MY 2026 and MY 2027, subject to conditions; other ACC II requirements remain in effect under the state program.
New Jersey ACC II (NJ program adoption) New Jersey adopted California-linked ACC II standards as part of its clean vehicles program. It regulates manufacturer deliveries of new passenger cars and light-duty trucks over time, not used-car ownership. Adopted for MY 2027 and later, with the adopted ZEV requirement rising toward the 2035 endpoint. The separate Federal Posture section explains the current waiver litigation affecting California-linked standards.
New Mexico ACC II-style (Clean Car Rule / 20.2.91 NMAC) New Mexico’s Clean Car Rule aligns new-vehicle sales standards with California-linked requirements through state regulation. Manufacturers comply using annual credits, reporting, and verification requirements described in the rule. Adopted in regulation. New Mexico’s light- and medium-duty ZEV percentage requirements apply for MY 2027 through MY 2032; the state did not adopt California’s 2033-2035 ZEV percentage schedule in this rule.
New York ACC II (regulation adopted) New York adopted ACC II for new passenger cars and light-duty trucks through regulation. The program sets annual manufacturer requirements and includes the reporting and compliance structure used for implementation. Adopted. NYSDEC is exercising limited enforcement discretion for ACC II ZEV delivery shortfalls for MY 2026 and MY 2027, subject to conditions, recordkeeping, and reporting requirements.
Oregon Oregon Clean Vehicles / ORLEV (includes ACC II) Oregon implements California-linked clean vehicle standards for new vehicles through its Clean Vehicles / ORLEV framework, including Advanced Clean Cars II. DEQ materials cover program basics and additional implementation guidance for early model years. Adopted. Oregon DEQ is exercising enforcement discretion for the MY 2026 ZEV sales percentage requirement only, while continuing to enforce other ACC II obligations such as reporting, labeling, and warranty requirements.
Rhode Island ACC II (Rhode Island program adoption) Rhode Island aligns its new-vehicle requirements with California-linked clean vehicle standards through RIDEM’s program framework. RIDEM’s ACC II materials provide a plain-English summary and point to program documentation. Adopted. Rhode Island’s ACC II rule covers ZEV sales requirements for MY 2027 through MY 2035. The separate Federal Posture section explains the current federal waiver dispute affecting California-linked standards.
Vermont ACC II (VT clean car regulations) Vermont adopted ACC II through state air regulations for new passenger vehicles. State materials now describe an executive-order-based compliance flexibility and enforcement-discretion posture for near-term implementation. Adopted. Executive Order 04-25 directs enforcement discretion for ACC II ZEV sales requirements through Dec. 31, 2026, unless the order is amended or rescinded sooner.
Washington Clean Vehicles Program (WAC 173-423; includes ACC II) Washington administers clean vehicle standards through its Clean Vehicles Program under WAC 173-423. Ecology’s rulemaking pages track updates, supporting documents, and program changes over time. Adopted, with portions currently paused. As of September 2026, Washington Ecology says it has temporarily paused portions of some vehicle-emissions standards in response to federal actions while Washington and other states challenge those actions in court. Ecology is continuing clean-vehicle rulemaking during the pause.
Washington, D.C. Adoption of California vehicle emission standards (includes ACC II) Washington, D.C. adopted California vehicle emission standards updates for new passenger cars and light-duty trucks, including ACC II. DOEE’s final rulemaking notice and the D.C. Register publication provide the controlling documentation. Adopted via DOEE final rulemaking for MY 2027 and later. D.C.’s rule states that enforceability of the California standards depends on California receiving the required federal waiver, so the separate Federal Posture section is important to the current status.

Other States To Watch

These states still matter in the broader clean-car conversation for different reasons. Some have live rulemakings, coalition activity, or earlier California-linked standards, while others recently changed course, ended earlier programs, or remain legally unsettled.

State Why It Matters Status (September 2026) Sources
Connecticut A recent example of a state that seriously weighed updated California-linked standards, then stopped short of adopting them. DEEP says the proposed updated emissions standards were not adopted. Connecticut remains under its existing LEV/ZEV program.
Hawaiʻi A newer entrant in the multistate clean-cars conversation through coalition activity rather than a formal ACC II adoption. Hawaiʻi joined the coalition in September 2025. It is part of the broader policy conversation, even though it is not currently on an ACC II pathway.
Illinois One of the clearest cases of a major clean-car rulemaking that advanced, drew heavy attention, and then hit pause. The Illinois Pollution Control Board’s R24-17 rulemaking remains stayed pending resolution of the California federal case or a further Board order. The Board required written status updates every six months beginning March 5, 2026.
Maine A state where the clean-car path shifted recently, from considering broader updates to returning to the federal framework. Maine DEP’s January 2026 report says ACC I remained in effect through MY 2025 and Maine reverted to federal standards for light-duty vehicles in 2026. Maine did not move onto the ACC II pathway tracked in the main chart.
Minnesota A recent clean-cars state where an earlier California-linked program expanded vehicle availability and then came to a close. Clean Cars Minnesota applied through MY 2025 and has no enforceability after final MY2025 reporting. In June 2026, MPCA began formal rulemaking to repeal the now-obsolete Clean Cars Minnesota rule parts. The state continues broader transportation-emissions work through other programs and planning efforts.
Nevada A recent California-linked clean-car state whose program applied to MY 2025, but which did not move on to adopt California’s newer ACC II framework. Nevada’s Clean Cars Nevada requirements applied to new MY 2025 light-duty vehicles. Nevada did not adopt ACC II for model year 2026 and later, so it is not on the current ACC II pathway tracked in the main chart.
Pennsylvania An active clean-vehicle state whose program still matters, even though it stops short of the full California ZEV model. Pennsylvania’s program is active, but it is LEV-only. The state says its Clean Vehicle Program does not incorporate California’s ZEV requirements.
Virginia A state where the next phase of clean-car policy is still being shaped by both existing rules and recent legal guidance. Virginia’s administrative code still shows a California-linked LEV and ZEV framework beginning with MY 2025, while the 2024 Attorney General opinion says the Board is not required to adopt California’s ACC II standards for MY 2026 and beyond.
Wisconsin Another newer coalition state, showing how the clean-cars conversation is still expanding beyond formal ACC II adopters. Wisconsin joined the coalition in September 2025. That makes it relevant in the broader clean-car conversation, even though it is not currently on an ACC II pathway.
 

Are States Banning Existing Or Older Gas Cars?

No major state phaseout policy covered in this guide bans existing or older gasoline cars simply because of their age. The rules commonly described as "gas car bans" generally regulate standards for new vehicles sold by manufacturers.

That means a state rule aimed at new gasoline-car sales in 2035 is very different from a law that would prohibit someone from owning a 2025, 2015, or older gasoline vehicle.

Under the policies discussed here, existing gas cars can generally continue to be:

  • owned;
  • driven;
  • repaired;
  • bought and sold used; and
  • kept on the road after 2035.

Individual states and localities can still have separate vehicle-emissions inspections, safety requirements, registration rules, or other regulations. Those are different from the new-vehicle sales phaseout policies covered in this article.

 
 

When Will Automakers Stop Making Gas Cars?

There is no single date when automakers will stop making gasoline cars.

State clean-car rules generally regulate the vehicles manufacturers sell or deliver in a particular jurisdiction. They do not require an automaker to stop producing gasoline vehicles for every market worldwide on one specific date.

Different manufacturers are also moving toward electric vehicles at different speeds. As a result, gasoline vehicles are likely to continue being produced for some markets even as EVs account for a larger share of new vehicle sales.

For U.S. consumers, the more useful question is therefore not when every gas car will stop being manufactured, but which new vehicles will be available in a particular state as clean-car requirements change.

 
 

Will Gas Cars Still Exist In 2050?

Yes, gas cars are likely to still exist on U.S. roads in 2050. A phaseout of certain new gasoline-vehicle sales does not remove vehicles that people already own.

Cars can remain in service for many years, and there is currently no nationwide U.S. policy requiring existing gasoline cars to be taken off the road by 2035 or 2050.

What is expected to change over time is the share of new vehicles using gasoline compared with electric and other qualifying vehicles, not the overnight disappearance of the existing gas-car fleet.

 
 

Some Cities Are Taking Steps Too

Most of the strongest U.S. clean-car sales rules still operate at the state level, not the city level. But cities have their own powerful tools for reducing gasoline use. They can electrify municipal fleets and buses, build EV charging networks, set local EV-adoption goals, change building and parking requirements, and regulate some locally licensed services such as taxis and rideshare vehicles.

That distinction matters. In most cases, the city policies below do not ban residents from owning or driving gas cars, and they do not prohibit ordinary consumers from buying a new gas car. Instead, they show how local governments are trying to make electric transportation easier and move the vehicles and services they directly influence away from gasoline.

  • Los Angeles has been pursuing transportation electrification on several fronts. L.A.’s 2019 Green New Deal set a target for electric and zero-emission vehicles to reach 25% by 2025, 80% by 2035, and 100% by 2050. Because the first of those dates has now passed, it is better viewed as an earlier benchmark rather than a statement about the current share of vehicles.

    The city's newer 2026 Climate Action Plan puts more emphasis on concrete deployment: Los Angeles aims to install 120,000 new public and multifamily EV charging ports by 2030, electrify 100% of LADOT transit buses by 2028, and expand used-EV rebates in disadvantaged communities. These are not consumer gas-car bans; they are examples of a city using infrastructure, transit, incentives, and its own purchasing power to accelerate the transition.
  • Washington, D.C. combines a citywide adoption target with requirements affecting fleets. D.C.’s Sustainable DC targets and Transportation Electrification Roadmap call for at least 25% of vehicles registered in the District to be zero-emission by 2030.

    The Clean Energy DC Omnibus Act goes further for vehicles the District can regulate more directly, establishing zero-emission requirements for public fleets and specified private or commercial fleets, taxis, and limousines over time. Again, that is much narrower than telling every D.C. resident that they can no longer own a gasoline car.
  • San Diego measures part of its transition by how much driving is actually electric. Its Zero Emission Vehicles Program sets a target for 16% of all light-duty vehicle miles traveled to be electric by 2030, increasing to 25% by 2035.

    San Diego is also applying electrification to its own operations. The same Climate Action Plan calls for 100% of the city's light-duty fleet and 75% of its medium- and heavy-duty fleet to be electric by 2035. That combination — changing both community travel and government fleets — illustrates the broader role cities can play even when they do not control statewide new-car sales rules.
  • Seattle takes an especially broad view of what a zero-emission trip can be. Under Seattle’s Transportation Electrification Blueprint, the city wants 90% of all personal trips to be zero-emission by 2030.

    That does not mean 90% of cars must be EVs. Seattle counts trips made by walking, biking, electric transit, electric vehicles, or trips avoided altogether. The Blueprint also calls for shared mobility to be zero-emission, covering services such as bikes, scooters, taxis, rideshare, and carshare, and sets a goal for 30% of goods delivery to be zero-emission by 2030.
  • New York City provides one of the clearest examples of a city regulating a specific transportation sector rather than banning gas cars generally. NYC has long planned for a major expansion of EVs and charging infrastructure, with its broader electric-vehicle strategy focused on making charging more widely available.

    More significantly, the Green Rides Initiative establishes binding annual benchmarks for high-volume for-hire services such as Uber and Lyft. The requirement rises to 25% of trips in 2026, then 40% in 2027, and ultimately requires 100% of rideshare trips to be dispatched to either zero-emission or wheelchair-accessible vehicles by 2030. This is a meaningful local transportation rule, but it applies to a specific city-regulated industry rather than ordinary private car ownership.
  • San Francisco is pursuing both vehicle electrification and a broader reduction in car-dependent travel. Its current clean transportation strategy calls for at least 25% of registered private vehicles to be electric by 2030 and ultimately targets 100% of vehicles by 2040. The city's Climate Action Plan also calls for 80% of trips to be made using lower-carbon modes such as walking, biking, transit, and shared electric mobility by 2030.

    San Francisco has paired those long-term goals with practical measures such as EV-ready requirements, public charging projects, fleet electrification, and a newer strategy for medium- and heavy-duty zero-emission vehicles.

Other city-level examples are worth watching too.

Denver has a long-term EV strategy of its own. Its EV Action Plan set targets of 15% of vehicle registrations being electric by 2025, 30% by 2030, and 100% of light-duty vehicles by 2050. The 2025 milestone is now in the past, so the more useful forward-looking benchmark is Denver's goal of reaching 30% EV registrations by 2030. The city is also trying to reduce driving overall by expanding transit, walking, biking, carpooling, and other transportation options.

Boston's strategy has also evolved. Its earlier Zero-Emission Vehicle Roadmap contained aspirational EV targets for 2025, but those dates have passed. Boston's newer 2030 Climate Action Plan, released in 2026, now sets a target of 20% electric passenger vehicles by 2030 while also emphasizing reduced vehicle travel and greater access to EV charging. Boston says it aims to make public charging accessible within roughly a five-minute walk for residents by 2030.

 

Cities Are Also Electrifying Their Own Fleets

One of the most direct things a city can control is what vehicles its own government buys and operates. That makes municipal fleets an important testing ground for electric cars, trucks, buses, charging systems, and other zero-emission technology.

In New York City, Local Law 140 put the municipal fleet on a legally defined electrification path. The city's fleet transition reporting identifies a goal of an all-electric light- and medium-duty fleet by 2035 and an all-electric heavy-duty fleet by 2038, with exemptions where suitable vehicles, charging, backup power, or other necessary technology is not available.

The transition is already moving beyond passenger cars. In 2026, New York City reported that it had surpassed 1,000 electric vehicles assigned to law-enforcement agencies, while several city enforcement fleets are aiming to fully electrify by 2030 — ahead of the broader statutory deadline.

Washington, D.C. uses the Clean Energy DC Omnibus Act to establish a long-term zero-emission transition for public fleets as well as certain other regulated fleets. The law sets interim requirements for 2030 and a 100% zero-emission goal by 2045 for covered categories.

Baltimore requires 100% of vehicles purchased, leased, or rented for its administrative fleet to be zero-emission by January 1, 2030. This is a procurement requirement for city government vehicles — not a prohibition on residents owning gasoline cars.

San Francisco was an early municipal-fleet mover. Its EV planning and municipal fleet policies included a requirement for municipally owned light-duty passenger vehicles to transition to zero-emission technology, with waiver provisions where appropriate technology was not available. The city continues to expand its clean-transportation work into charging infrastructure and medium- and heavy-duty vehicles.

Los Angeles has likewise said its EV Master Plan charts a course toward electrifying the City fleet. Its newer 2026 climate planning adds nearer-term benchmarks, including a goal for 100% of new City light-duty and transit vehicles to be electric by 2028 where technically feasible.

 

It is often at the local level that real change starts.

Cities cannot simply replace state vehicle-sales rules, but they can make cleaner transportation much easier to use. Decisions about charging locations, city fleets, buses, taxis, rideshare vehicles, parking, streets, and public investment can have a meaningful effect on how quickly residents and businesses are able to move away from gasoline.

Residents can influence many of those decisions directly by supporting EV charging, cleaner transit, safer walking and biking infrastructure, and municipal fleet electrification in their own communities.

For practical local steps you can take right now, read How to Improve Air Pollution: 7 Actions You Can Take In 2026.

 

Why States Are Moving Away From Gasoline Vehicles

The push away from gasoline is happening because the United States still uses an enormous amount of it.

  • Coltura’s gasoline-consumption research notes that the United States burns more than one-third of the world’s gasoline despite making up only about 4% of the global population. Learn more about U.S. gasoline consumption data.
  • Most of that gasoline goes into the vehicles people drive every day. Around 91% of gasoline burned in the United States goes into light-duty vehicles like cars, SUVs, and small trucks.
  • Gasoline and diesel use in the U.S. transportation sector released roughly 1,489 million metric tons of CO2 in 2023.
  • Vehicle emissions contain toxic pollutants linked to asthma, heart disease, lung disease, cancer, and other serious health harms. Learn more about gasoline facts and pollution from vehicles.

That is why states adopt or consider clean-car rules. These policies are meant to cut gasoline use, reduce tailpipe pollution, expand access to cleaner vehicles, and move the market toward alternatives that can improve both climate and public-health outcomes over time.

For a broader public-health look at why reducing gasoline use matters, see How To Reduce Air Pollution In 2026.

Pollution Ends Where Action Begins

For over a decade, Coltura has been leading the movement to move America beyond gasoline — turning complex policy, data, and real-world trends into clear, actionable insight.

Join thousands of people learning, sharing, and helping move America toward cleaner, more affordable transportation.

Sign up to get monthly news and inspiration from our award-winning nonprofit and the Beyond Gasoline Movement.

 
 

Gasoline Superuser Approach

State-level standards can help move the market away from gasoline over time, but on their own they do not reduce gasoline use quickly enough. To cut gasoline use faster, we need to help the drivers using the most gasoline — “Gasoline Superusers” — switch to EVs as soon as possible.

Across the United States, Gasoline Superusers use roughly one-third of all gasoline, often because they have to travel long distances between affordable housing and work. Learn more about Coltura’s gasoline superuser approach.

Coltura’s 2024 report, "Country Crossroads," looks at rural Gasoline Superusers — a small share of rural drivers who make up less than 4% of the U.S. population but account for nearly 13% of the nation’s gasoline use.

You can also watch Coltura’s free webinar on how the gasoline superuser strategy can help reduce vehicle emissions faster and more equitably.

To explore the broader damage caused by gasoline, learn more about the life cycle harms of gasoline.

 

Conclusion

The United States does not have a single national gas car ban, but a growing group of states has adopted ACC II or similar clean-car standards for new vehicle sales. The main chart shows where those rules are actually in place, while the second chart helps separate other states that still matter in the broader clean-car conversation — including earlier California-linked programs, coalition states, live proposals, and states whose policy paths recently changed.

 
 

 Curious how much you could save switching to an EV? Get a quick estimate of your fuel & maintenance savings below!

 

 

*Disclaimer: This tool is only intended to provide an estimate of potential savings. Actual results will vary. Learn more about the calculation and the Electric vs Gas Calculator here.

 

FAQ: Gas Car Bans, Phaseouts, And 2035 Rules

What states are banning gas cars?

The current legal status ranges, but 12 states have clean car standards that will limit the sale of new gas vehicles over time. The states are California, Colorado, Delaware, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington plus Washington, D.C. These include full ACC II / 2035 states, shorter-timeline ACC II-style programs, and Colorado’s separate state-run standard. Learn more about how a phaseout-style rule works in The California Phase Out of Gas Cars — What You Need To Know In 2026.

What states will ban gas cars by 2035?

In the most common headline framing, the clearest 2035 jurisdictions are California, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington, and Washington, D.C. Delaware and New Mexico currently run through MY 2032, while Colorado uses a different state-run standard.

When will gas cars be banned?

There is no single U.S. date. In the U.S., this question usually means when certain states will require cleaner new car sales over time.

Will gas cars be banned in the U.S.?

There is no nationwide U.S. gas car ban date. The major U.S. policy discussions are state-by-state.

Are gas cars going away?

Existing gas cars are not going away overnight. Even in states with phaseout-style rules, current gas cars can stay on the road for many years because the policies mainly affect the mix of new vehicles sold.

How long will gas cars be around?

Gas cars will likely remain on U.S. roads for many years. State clean-car standards mostly change future sales requirements, not whether current owners can keep driving.

What happens to gas cars after 2035?

Existing gas cars remain legal to own and drive after 2035. The main 2035 policies are about new vehicle sales, not confiscating older vehicles or banning used-car sales.

What states are not banning gas cars?

Any state not in the main chart above is not on the same adopted ACC II, ACC II-style, or clearly identified equivalent pathway tracked on this page. Some still have older LEV or ZEV rules, earlier California-linked programs, proposals, coalition activity, or related programs, which is why the second chart matters. For a broader international comparison, see Gasoline Vehicle Phaseout Advances Around The World.

When will petrol cars be banned?

In the United States, there is no nationwide petrol or gas car ban date. This page focuses on state rules for new vehicle sales, which is what most people really mean when they search this question.

What does “ICE ban” mean?

“ICE” means internal combustion engine. In U.S. policy talk, an “ICE ban” usually refers to rules that phase down the sale of certain new gasoline vehicles over time, not bans on owning existing cars. For more on why these policies exist, see U.S. Gasoline Consumption and Pollution From Vehicles.

What 17 states are banning gas cars?

You may see references to 17 states because some lists count additional states that adopted earlier California vehicle-emissions standards or other California-linked programs. On this page, the main chart tracks 13 jurisdictions on a current ACC II or similar pathway, while other states are discussed separately in the second chart. For more on California and other states adopting California standards, see The California Ban On Gas Cars — What You Need To Know In 2026.

Can you still drive gas cars after 2035?

Yes. Existing gas cars remain legal to own and drive after 2035. These policies are mainly about future new-vehicle sales, not taking existing cars off the road or banning used-car sales.

What year will electric cars be mandatory?

There is no single nationwide U.S. year when electric cars become mandatory. In the United States, the main policy changes are state-by-state rules affecting the mix of new vehicles sold over time. Some states are on a 2035 pathway, while others use shorter timelines or different state-run standards.

Should I buy a gas or diesel car?

If long-term fuel costs, maintenance savings, and pollution matter to you, it is worth comparing EV options closely before buying a new gas or diesel vehicle. For more on the pollution side of that choice, see Pollution From Vehicles.

 
 
 
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