Phasing out petroleum-powered vehicles

The U.S. State of California has approved a ban on the sale of new petroleum-powered vehicles by 2035 — a landmark policy intervention that could have an impact throughout most other American states, and in countries outside of the US.

Details –

• The rule would kick in with a 35 per cent limit on new passenger vehicle sales to be “zero emission” (or Battery Electric Vehicles) by 2026, which then goes up to 68 percent by 2030, and 100 per cent in 2035.
• California, besides being the biggest US state, is one of the largest markets for car sales in the world. So, California’s position on new car sales is extremely important.

What is India’s stance?

• India has a target of meeting at least 65 per cent of all new vehicle sales to be electric by 2030.
• Progress has been patchy though, with 6.38 lakh EVs registered in India since 2012 – less than 1 per cent of the total vehicle count.
• What is encouraging is that over 15 states have issued or adopted EV policies so far.