California plans to ban the sale of new gasoline-powered passenger cars and trucks starting in 2035, in a dramatic move to shift to electric vehicles and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom told a news conference that the state was committing to a "firm goal" to phase out the sale of new gasoline-powered vehicles and was encouraging other states to take similar action.

Newsom’s order labeled the elimination of gasoline-powered vehicles a "goal" and a "target" after his office said earlier that his order would require the sale of nothing but zero emission passenger vehicle starting in 2035.

The move would be the most significant to date by a U.S. state aimed at ending the use of internal combustion engines for passenger travel.

California is the largest U.S. auto market, accounting for about 11% of all U.S. vehicle sales, and many states choose to adopt its green vehicle mandates.

 

U.S. President Donald Trump has sought to bar California from requiring the sale of electric vehicles, while his rival Joe Biden has pledged to spend billions to speed the adoption of electric vehicles.