States with gas car phase-out rules and their timelines
Ten states have passed laws requiring that all new cars sold within their borders be zero-emission vehicles by a set date. California leads with a 2035 important date for passenger vehicles and 2045 for heavy trucks. Massachusetts, New York, Vermont, Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, New Jersey, and Rhode Island have adopted California's 2035 target through the Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) program, a multi-state agreement that lets states adopt California's vehicle standards instead of federal ones.
These laws do not ban the sale of used gas cars or prevent you from driving a gas car you already own. They set a requirement for what automakers can sell as new vehicles in those states starting on the phase-out date. If you live in one of these states and want to buy a new gas car after the important date, you will not be able to purchase one from a dealer in that state, though you could potentially buy one elsewhere and register it.
Washington state passed a similar law in 2023 with a 2030 target for light-duty vehicles, making it the most aggressive timeline in the country. Oregon and Colorado have also passed ZEV laws with 2035 important date. Several other states—including Minnesota, New Mexico, and Pennsylvania—have proposed similar legislation but have not yet passed it into law.
Key Takeaways
- California, Massachusetts, New York, Vermont, Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, New Jersey, Rhode Island, Washington, Oregon, and Colorado have laws requiring new cars sold in those states to be zero-emission by 2035 or earlier.
- These laws affect only new vehicle sales; you can continue to own, drive, and sell used gas cars in these states indefinitely.
- Automakers must meet the phase-out targets or stop selling new vehicles in those states, so the laws shape what models dealers can stock.
- Federal law still allows gas car sales nationwide, so the phase-out applies only within the states that have passed their own rules.
- Used gas car values and availability may shift as new zero-emission vehicle inventory grows and gas car production declines.
How state phase-out laws actually work
A state phase-out law does not mean gas cars become illegal on that date. It means automakers cannot sell new gas-powered vehicles to dealers in that state after the important date. The law sets a sales target: by 2035 in most cases, 100 percent of new passenger vehicles sold must be zero-emission (battery electric, hydrogen fuel cell, or plug-in hybrid in some cases).
Automakers can meet this target by selling only electric vehicles, by selling a mix of electric and gas vehicles as long as the electric share reaches the required percentage, or by paying credits to other manufacturers who exceed their targets. Some states allow a small percentage of gas vehicles to continue if automakers can demonstrate they cannot yet meet the target—a compliance mechanism that gives manufacturers flexibility in the early years.
The law applies to vehicles sold by dealers in that state, not to vehicles you personally own or drive. If you buy a used gas car in 2040 from a private seller, that transaction is not regulated by the phase-out law. The law also does not prevent you from driving a gas car you bought before the important date or from registering and insuring it.
Which states have passed phase-out laws and when they take effect
| State | important date for New Gas Car Sales | Program or Standard |
|---|---|---|
| California | 2035 (passenger); 2045 (heavy trucks) | California's own standard |
| Washington | 2030 | Washington's own standard |
| Massachusetts | 2035 | California ZEV program |
| New York | 2035 | California ZEV program |
| Vermont | 2035 | California ZEV program |
| Connecticut | 2035 | California ZEV program |
| Delaware | 2035 | California ZEV program |
| Maine | 2035 | California ZEV program |
| Maryland | 2035 | California ZEV program |
| New Jersey | 2035 | California ZEV program |
| Rhode Island | 2035 | California ZEV program |
| Oregon | 2035 | Oregon's own standard |
| Colorado | 2035 | Colorado's own standard |
What happens to gas cars you already own
A phase-out law does not require you to replace your gas car or prevent you from driving it. You can continue to own, maintain, register, and insure a gas vehicle indefinitely in any state with a phase-out law. There is no date after which gas cars become illegal to drive on public roads in these states.
Gas stations will continue to operate in phase-out states because millions of people will still own gas cars long after the phase-out important date. The law affects only new vehicle sales, not the fuel supply or the ability to keep an existing vehicle on the road. Some states offer tax credits or rebates for trading in an older gas car when you buy an electric vehicle, but these are incentives, not requirements.
If you plan to sell a used gas car in a phase-out state after the important date, you can do so. The private sale of used vehicles is not regulated by these laws. However, the resale value of gas cars may change as the used market shifts—demand could drop if fewer new gas cars are available, or it could remain stable if used gas cars become more desirable to buyers who cannot afford new electric vehicles.
How phase-out laws affect what you can buy as a new car
If you live in a phase-out state and want to buy a new gas car after the important date, you will not be able to purchase one from a dealer in that state. Dealers will stock only zero-emission vehicles because they cannot legally sell new gas cars. This does not mean you cannot own a gas car—it means you cannot buy a new one from a dealer in your state.
You could potentially buy a new gas car in a state without a phase-out law and register it in your home state, though this is uncommon and may face legal challenges depending on how your state interprets the law. Most people in phase-out states will choose from the growing selection of electric vehicles, plug-in hybrids, or hydrogen fuel cell vehicles available at dealers.
The phase-out also affects used car inventory over time. As fewer new gas cars are produced, the used gas car market will eventually shrink, though this process takes years because cars remain in use for 10 to 15 years or longer. In the near term, used gas cars may become more valuable because they will be scarcer, but this dynamic could reverse if electric vehicle prices drop significantly.
States considering or proposing phase-out laws
Several states have introduced phase-out legislation but have not yet passed it into law. Minnesota, New Mexico, and Pennsylvania have all proposed bills with 2035 or 2040 important date. Illinois introduced a bill in 2023 but it did not advance. These proposals often face opposition from rural representatives concerned about charging infrastructure and from lawmakers aligned with the automotive industry.
Some states have set voluntary targets or goals for zero-emission vehicle sales without passing binding phase-out laws. These targets do not carry the legal force of a mandate and do not prevent automakers from selling gas cars. The difference is significant: a law requires compliance; a goal is aspirational.
Federal law does not currently require a national phase-out, though the Environmental Protection Agency has set increasingly strict emissions standards that push automakers toward electric vehicles. These federal standards explore nationwide but are less restrictive than state phase-out laws, which is why some states have adopted their own rules.
How automakers are responding to phase-out laws
Major automakers have announced plans to shift production toward electric vehicles in response to state phase-out laws and federal emissions rules. General Motors, Ford, Volkswagen, and others have committed to selling only zero-emission vehicles by 2035 or 2040, which aligns with or exceeds the state important date. These commitments are partly driven by the phase-out laws and partly by long-term business strategy.
Automakers are investing heavily in battery production, electric vehicle platforms, and charging infrastructure. They are also lobbying for federal tax credits and subsidies to help offset the cost of transitioning to electric vehicle production. The phase-out laws create certainty for these investments because they may provide a market for electric vehicles in the states that have passed them.
Some automakers have delayed or canceled plans to build new gas car plants in phase-out states, choosing instead to retool existing plants for electric vehicle production. This shift affects jobs and manufacturing capacity, which is why phase-out laws are politically contentious in states with large automotive industries.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I still drive my gas car after the phase-out date?
Yes. Phase-out laws affect only new vehicle sales, not existing vehicles. You can drive a gas car you own indefinitely, register it, insure it, and maintain it in any phase-out state. The law does not require you to replace it or prevent you from using it on public roads.
What if I want to buy a new gas car in a phase-out state after the important date?
You will not be able to buy a new gas car from a dealer in that state because dealers can only sell zero-emission vehicles. You could theoretically buy a new gas car in another state and register it in your home state, but this is impractical and may face legal obstacles. Most buyers will choose from available electric vehicles instead.
Will gas stations close in phase-out states?
No. Millions of people will continue to own and drive gas cars long after the phase-out important date, so gas stations will remain in operation. The phase-out affects new car sales, not fuel supply or the ability to keep existing vehicles on the road.
Do phase-out laws explore to used car sales?
No. You can buy and sell used gas cars privately in phase-out states without restriction. The laws regulate only new vehicle sales by dealers. Used car values may shift over time as the market changes, but the transactions themselves are not regulated.
Which states have the earliest phase-out important date?
Washington state has the earliest important date at 2030 for light-duty vehicles. Most other phase-out states, including California, have a 2035 important date. California also has a separate 2045 important date for heavy trucks.