California Governor Signs Order: No Gas-Using Vehicles After 2035

In a ludicrous move against climate change on Wednesday, California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) signed an executive order that will prohibit car companies from selling cars and passengers trucks that produce emissions after the year 2035. The order, which is a transparent attempt on Newsom’s part to set himself up for a presidential run down the line, was touted as a move to help California to move closer to its stated “Greenhouse Gas Emissions” goals.

“This is the most impactful step our state can take to fight climate change,” said Newsom. “For too many decades, we have allowed cars to pollute the air that our children and families breathe. Californians shouldn’t have to worry if our cars are giving our kids asthma. Our cars shouldn’t make wildfires worse – and create more days filled with smoky air. Cars shouldn’t melt glaciers or raise sea levels threatening our cherished beaches and coastlines.”

At a press conference announcing the order, Newsom encouraged other states to follow California’s lead. But while Newsom was busy worrying about turning himself into America’s Grand Leader on Climate Change, there were some within his own party who wondered how the state’s non-rich residents could possibly afford to make the switch.

“The EV’s pictured in today’s signing of the EO cost more than $50k each,” tweeted Assemblyman Jim Cooper. “How will my constituents afford an EV? They can’t. They currently drive 11-year-old vehicles. This doesn’t even take into account the strain an all-electric vehicle fleet will have on our state electric grid.”

As of last year, only 6% of vehicles sold in California meet the standards set by the governor in his order.

Even so, Newsom’s office insisted that fifteen years would be enough time for things to change.

“Zero-emission vehicles will almost certainly be cheaper and better than the traditional fossil fuel powered cars,” the governor’s office argued without evidence.

State Sen. Shannon Grove said that Newsom should worry more about the problems facing California in 2020 and less about drawing attention to himself with outlandish executive orders.

“The Governor is once again chasing headlines instead of focusing on the immediate and real problems of this state such as high housing costs, the energy grid, forestry management neglect, the homeless problem, paying UI claims, or getting schools open,” she tweeted.