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Last week, the California Air Resources Board voted to approve a new set of rules aimed at banning the sale of new gas-powered passenger vehicles in California by 2035. The Advanced Clean Cars II regulations were developed as a step towards reducing the carbon-based pollution in the state and to support and comply with an executive order Governor Newsome signed back in 2020.
The new regulations will not prevent the use or resale of previously owned gas-powered vehicles, only cease the introduction of new ones into the mix. This vast change is not something that can happen overnight, but rather something we will ease towards in increments. The initial step calls for 35% of vehicles being introduced to the marked to be zero-emission by the year 2026 and working its way up to 100% of new vehicles by the year 2035. This transition period also allows time for Californians to recognize and overcome challenges such as ensuring that there are a sufficient amount of charging stations available across the state to accommodate the number of vehicles requiring them. As it currently stands, not every household is equipped to handle the addition of charging stations, and travel on a full charge is typically limited to around 200- 250 miles.
What does this mean for our industry? While there are obvious challenges that this new ban presents, the outdoor hospitality industry is at the ready to tackle them. Some manufactures such as Thor and Winnebago are already working on and prototyping fully electric RV and camper van solutions. The addition of charging stations to campgrounds has already begun, but as more and more of the vehicles on our roads become electric, the number of travelers who consider them to be a necessary amenity will greatly increase. Stay tuned for more on this subject as we adapt to the future regulations.
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