In September of 2020, California’s Governor Gavin Newsom signed an executive order to end the sale of gasoline fueled vehicles in California by 2035. The goal is to only sell zero-emission vehicles in order to help the environment and limit the amount of greenhouse gas emissions.

California is the first state in the United States to take this action, while joining 15 other countries in trying to limit the amount of greenhouse gases emitted.

The California Resources Board is creating guidelines to try to end the sale of gasoline powered vehicles completely by 2035. However, those who already own a gasoline powered vehicle can still keep and drive it.

“The main effect is the emissions. There are a lot of greenhouse gases, in particular carbon monoxide” said AP Environmental Science teacher Michael O’Brien.

Gasoline fueled vehicles are not the only cause of greenhouse gases. Building vehicles, and repairing, repaving, and creating roads for people to drive on are other ways that greenhouse gases are released into the atmosphere.

Clara Liu ’23 explained, “My family has a Tesla, and it’s a zero-emission vehicle. The car drives the same and there are many benefits, which include limiting the amount of greenhouse gasses emitted.”

This is a big first step in helping the atmosphere and achieving the main goal, which is to have zero source emission vehicles. The change to more zero-emission vehicles will help reduce the use of fossil fuels and will protect people from the negative impacts of oil extraction.