Do All Cars in California Have to Be Electric by 2035?

Do all cars have to be electric by 2035 in California?” Confusing headlines about a California gas car ban have left many drivers wondering whether police will start ticketing combustion engines or if gas vehicles will become illegal overnight.

The reality, however, is far less dramatic. The California electric car mandate 2035 focuses on new passenger vehicle sales under rules adopted by the California Air Resources Board (CARB). It does not require you to give up your current gas-powered car.

Here’s what the California 2035 electric vehicle law actually requires—and what it doesn’t.

What Is the California Electric Car Mandate for 2035?

In 2022, CARB approved the Advanced Clean Cars II regulation. The program establishes a phased transition requiring automakers to steadily increase the percentage of zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs) they sell in California.

Under the CARB 2035 rule, manufacturers must meet the following sales benchmarks:

• By 2026, 35% of new passenger vehicle sales must be zero-emission
• By 2030, 68% of new passenger vehicle sales must be zero-emission
• By 2035, 100% of new passenger vehicle sales must be zero-emission

These milestones are part of the broader California zero-emission vehicle mandate, which aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve air quality across the state.

Can I Still Drive a Gas Car After 2035?

The rule affects new car sales in 2035 in California, not cars already on the road.
That means you can still:

• Drive your current gas vehicle
• Sell your used gas vehicle
• Buy a used gas vehicle after 2035
• Move to California with a gas-powered vehicle

Gas stations are not shutting down in 2035, and no one is coming to take your keys. The change applies to automakers and new-vehicle sales, not drivers who already own combustion-engine cars.

What Counts as “Zero Emission” Under the Rule?

The zero-emission vehicle requirement doesn’t apply to just one type of car. Under California’s rule, several vehicle technologies can qualify, depending on how the vehicle operates and whether it produces tailpipe emissions.
Typically, they include:

• Battery electric vehicles (BEVs). Fully electric cars like Lucid, Rivian, or Tesla that run entirely on battery power and produce no tailpipe emissions.
• Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles. Vehicles that generate electricity from hydrogen and emit only water vapor.
• Certain plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHEVs). These are capped at 20% of total qualifying sales and must meet strict electric-range and emissions standards under the plug-in hybrid California 2035 provisions.

To qualify, vehicles must meet CARB’s technical performance and emissions criteria. The objective is to ensure that by 2035, new passenger vehicles sold in the state significantly reduce or eliminate tailpipe pollution.

Does the California Gas Car Ban Apply to Trucks?

When people hear about the California 2035 electric vehicle law, one of the biggest questions is what types of vehicles are included.

The rule does not apply to every vehicle category on the road. Instead, it focuses specifically on passenger vehicles and light-duty models typically used for personal transportation.

Under the regulation, the passenger vehicle category includes:

• Cars
• SUVs
• Light-duty trucks

Medium- and heavy-duty trucks are regulated under separate CARB programs. Commercial vehicles and larger fleet trucks are subject to additional rules, including the Advanced Clean Trucks regulation.

Why Did California Create This Mandate?

According to official emissions data from the California Environmental Protection Agency (CalEPA), transportation is the single largest source of greenhouse gas emissions in California, accounting for approximately 39% of the state’s total emissions in 2022.

Most of that impact comes from on-road vehicles—cars, trucks, and SUVs—which is why reducing tailpipe pollution plays a central role in meeting the state’s climate and air-quality strategy.

This reality explains why CARB and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) place such strong emphasis on vehicle emissions standards and clean transportation initiatives. Under the federal Clean Air Act, California has unique authority to adopt stricter vehicle emissions rules than other states, allowing it to address persistent air quality challenges.

To advance broader climate objectives, state policies aim to:

• Reduce smog-forming pollutants linked to health problems like asthma
• Lower greenhouse gas emissions from cars and trucks
• Improve air quality in high-density and disadvantaged communities
• Accelerate investment in electric vehicle charging and clean fuel infrastructure

Together, these priorities explain why the California 2035 electric vehicle law focuses first on passenger vehicles and new car sales.

Federal Pushback: Current Legal Landscape

California’s 2035 zero-emission sales framework operates under the federal Clean Air Act and depends on EPA-issued waivers that allow the state to implement stricter vehicle emissions standards.

The federal government has recently challenged that legal foundation. In May 2025, Congress voted to revoke the EPA waivers supporting California’s latest zero-emission vehicle requirements, including the 2035 sales benchmarks. The measure was approved and signed into law.

In response, California—joined by ten other states—filed suit in federal court, arguing that Congress does not have the authority to rescind Clean Air Act waivers in this manner. Whether the revocation ultimately stands will be decided through ongoing litigation.

For now, California continues to implement its 2035 zero-emission vehicle sales program as its active regulatory policy, and automakers are still planning production and distribution around those targets. While the legal dispute proceeds, the state’s transition framework remains in effect.

Will Electric Vehicles Be the Only Option?

Beginning in 2035, automakers will be required to sell only qualifying zero-emission passenger vehicles in California. That does not mean buyers will have just one type of vehicle to choose from.

Qualifying options are expected to include:

• Fully electric vehicles
• Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles
• Eligible plug-in hybrids

Between now and 2035, the automotive marketplace is likely to continue evolving. Improvements in charging infrastructure, expanded battery range, and increased affordability are expected to influence consumer adoption.

At the same time, advances in EV repair standards and maintenance practices will shape how Californians service and maintain their vehicles in the years ahead.

What Does This Mean for Auto Repairs?

As electric vehicle adoption increases, repair standards are evolving alongside the technology. EVs differ from traditional gas-powered vehicles in their structural materials, high-voltage electrical systems, calibration requirements, and battery protection protocols.

As a result, vehicles from brands like Tesla or Rivian require technicians trained in high-voltage safety procedures and manufacturer-specific repair standards to ensure safe and compliant repairs.

Here’s how EV repairs compare to traditional internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles: