The headline is outdated and misleading. Several states have adopted or pursued California-style rules requiring automakers to sell increasing numbers of zero-emission vehicles. But these rules do not ban ownership, driving, or the sale of used gasoline cars—and the 12-state list commonly repeated online does not accurately describe the current legal position in every state.
The rules mainly apply to new passenger cars, SUVs, and light-duty pickups. Most programs target model year 2035 for their highest zero-emission sales requirement, although start dates, percentages, exemptions, enforcement policies, and legal status vary by state.
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What the “gas-car ban” actually means
California’s Advanced Clean Cars II program is the source of much of the confusion. It begins with model year 2026 and increases the percentage of new vehicles manufacturers must sell as zero-emission vehicles:
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1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors| Model year | California ZEV sales requirement |
|---|---|
| 2026 | 35% |
| 2030 | 68% |
| 2035 | 100% |
“Zero-emission vehicle” does not always mean a battery-electric vehicle. Depending on the state rule and vehicle qualification, some plug-in hybrids can count toward part of a manufacturer’s requirement. California’s program also includes separate credit and compliance provisions.
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In practical terms, this is a manufacturer sales standard. It tells automakers what proportion of new vehicles they must deliver for sale—not that a resident must scrap a gasoline car, stop driving one, or buy an EV.
Which 12 states were included?
The widely circulated 2024 list named:
- California
- Delaware
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- New Jersey
- New York
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- Vermont
- Washington
That list combined finalized regulations, proposed actions, policy commitments, and states thought likely to follow California. Treating all 12 as having adopted an identical ban is incorrect.
State-by-state status
| State | What is actually in place |
|---|---|
| California | CARB adopted Advanced Clean Cars II in 2022. The program starts with model year 2026 and sets a 100% ZEV standard for model year 2035, with qualifying plug-in hybrids able to satisfy part of the requirements. Its federal waiver and enforcement authority are involved in ongoing litigation. |
| Delaware | Delaware adopted its own Advanced Clean Cars regulation in December 2023. It starts with model year 2027 and caps the ZEV requirement at 82%, rather than using California’s full 100% target. |
| Maine | Maine has not adopted Advanced Clean Cars II. Its earlier Advanced Clean Cars program remains in effect through model year 2025. A proposed ACC II rule was terminated after a March 2024 board vote. |
| Maryland | Maryland announced plans to adopt ACC II and pursue a 2035 phaseout of new gasoline-powered vehicle sales. That is a state regulatory and policy commitment—not a prohibition on existing gasoline vehicles or used-car transactions. |
| Massachusetts | Massachusetts adopted ACC II and has a 100% ZEV sales requirement for model year 2035. However, MassDEP announced enforcement discretion for manufacturers that miss the 2026 and 2027 targets if they meet specified conditions. |
| New Jersey | New Jersey adopted ACC II in December 2023. Its requirements begin with model year 2027 and rise to a 100% ZEV requirement by model year 2035. The state says the obligations apply to manufacturers, not directly to consumers or dealers. |
| New York | New York has pursued a 2035 zero-emission requirement for new passenger cars, SUVs, and pickup trucks through legislation and regulations, and is included among the states using California-linked clean-car standards. |
| Oregon | Oregon adopted ACC II in 2022. Its official explanation says gasoline-powered new vehicles remain available through model year 2034, while 2035-model-year new passenger cars, SUVs, and light-duty pickups must be battery-electric or plug-in hybrid vehicles. |
| Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania has historically followed some California low-emission standards, but the available CARB state table does not show a finalized adoption of California’s ZEV program. Calling Pennsylvania one of 12 states that adopted the same ACC II ban is not supported by the cited state-specific evidence. |
| Rhode Island | Rhode Island adopted ACC II in 2023 and uses California-linked ZEV requirements. |
| Vermont | Vermont adopted ACC II, including a 2035 zero-emission requirement for new vehicle sales. The rule does not stop residents from driving gasoline vehicles or purchasing used gasoline vehicles. |
| Washington | Washington adopted California-based clean-vehicle standards. Its materials point to ZEV requirements for new-vehicle sales by 2035 and state that existing gasoline vehicles remain legal. Hybrids also remain allowed under the state’s explanatory materials. |
What drivers can still do after 2035
If you live in a state with a 2035 new-vehicle ZEV target, you should not interpret that date as the end of gasoline cars on the road. The following activities generally remain possible:
- Continue driving a gasoline, diesel, hybrid, or plug-in hybrid vehicle you already own.
- Buy and sell used gasoline-powered cars.
- Register, insure, maintain, and repair an existing internal-combustion vehicle, subject to ordinary state requirements.
- Purchase a qualifying hybrid or plug-in hybrid where the state program and automaker compliance rules allow it.
The restriction is aimed at the supply of new vehicles. It does not require every vehicle in the state to become electric by 2035. A gasoline car bought in 2034 could remain on the road for many years afterward.
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What happens to new-car shoppers?
These rules are implemented primarily through automakers. A manufacturer may need to increase its sales of battery-electric vehicles and qualifying plug-in hybrids, earn credits, or comply with other state-specific provisions. The rules are not normally written as tickets or penalties issued to individual buyers who choose a gasoline vehicle.
However, shoppers may notice indirect effects:
- Fewer gasoline models: Automakers may reduce the supply of vehicles that are difficult to sell under the state’s credit requirements.
- Different availability by state: A model could be available in one state but harder to find in another, depending on manufacturer allocation.
- More EV and plug-in-hybrid inventory: Dealers may carry more electrified models to help manufacturers meet their targets.
- State-to-state complexity: Start dates and percentages differ, so a vehicle’s availability may depend on where it is sold or delivered.
New Jersey’s official FAQ is particularly clear that ACC II does not impose obligations directly on consumers or dealers. That does not mean buyers will see no market effects; it means the legal compliance duty is placed on the manufacturer.
Federal legal developments have made the headline even less reliable
California needs a federal Clean Air Act waiver to enforce certain vehicle-emissions standards that differ from federal requirements. The EPA granted California’s ACC II waiver in January 2025. Congress subsequently passed a Congressional Review Act resolution targeting that waiver, and President Trump signed it in June 2025.
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California and other states challenged that action, arguing that the waiver is an adjudicatory order and cannot be overturned through the Congressional Review Act in that way. The federal government has also filed litigation challenging California’s authority to enforce its EV-related rules. Those disputes remained active in 2026.
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That creates several separate questions that a simple “ban” headline hides:
- Has the state formally adopted a rule?
- What model years and vehicle categories does it cover?
- Is the state actively enforcing the requirement?
- Does the program allow plug-in hybrids or other credits?
- Is the rule affected by the federal waiver dispute?
A state can have a regulation on its books while its enforcement, implementation schedule, or legal authority is being contested.
States often confused with the 12-state list
Several other states are frequently added to online lists even though their positions are different.
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Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →- Connecticut: It moved toward adopting California’s ZEV rules, but the governor withdrew the proposal after legislative opposition.
- Colorado: It has California-related vehicle standards and EV-sales targets, but not the same 2035 prohibition described in the headline.
- New Mexico: It has pursued annual ZEV targets while stating that its program does not prohibit the sale or ownership of new or used gasoline vehicles.
- Virginia: Its historical connection to California standards has been the subject of state political and legal disputes, so it should not automatically be grouped with states having finalized ACC II rules.
Four claims that need correcting
“The states are banning gas cars.”
That is shorthand, not a precise description. The rules generally regulate manufacturers’ sales or deliveries of new vehicles.
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“Nobody can buy a gasoline car after 2035.”
Too broad. Used gasoline vehicles remain available, and qualifying plug-in hybrids may remain part of manufacturer compliance programs.
“All 12 states adopted the same ban.”
They did not. Delaware caps its requirement at 82%, Maine has not adopted ACC II, and Pennsylvania’s inclusion is not supported by a finalized ACC II rule in the cited CARB material. Other states have different dates and enforcement policies.
“The federal government ordered everyone to buy an EV.”
It did not. Federal emissions rules and California-linked state programs are separate. The state programs generally regulate manufacturers, not individual purchase decisions. Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.
What this means if you own a gas-powered car
For current owners, these rules do not create a 2035 deadline to sell or replace a gasoline vehicle. You can continue to use it under the normal rules for registration, insurance, inspections, emissions testing, and roadworthiness in your state.
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FAQ
Are gasoline cars being banned in 12 US states?
No—not in the sense of banning ownership, driving, or used-car sales. Several states have adopted or pursued rules that require automakers to sell increasing percentages of zero-emission new vehicles, with many targeting 2035.
Can I still drive my gasoline car after 2035?
Yes. These programs generally do not remove existing gasoline vehicles from the road. You can continue driving one as long as it remains registered, insured, and compliant with ordinary state requirements.
Can I buy a used gasoline car in a state with a 2035 ZEV rule?
Generally, yes. The rules concern new-vehicle sales or deliveries. Used gasoline vehicles are not generally prohibited by Advanced Clean Cars II programs.
Do these rules require every new car to be fully electric?
Not necessarily. Requirements differ by state, and qualifying plug-in hybrids may count toward part of some manufacturers’ ZEV obligations. Delaware also caps its program at 82%, while other states have different compliance provisions.
The Bottom Line
There is no accurate current version of the statement that “12 US states are banning the sale of gas-powered cars.” California and several other states have adopted or pursued manufacturer-focused standards for new vehicles, often with a 2035 target. Maine has not adopted ACC II, Pennsylvania’s inclusion is not supported by a finalized ACC II rule in the cited material, and federal litigation could alter California-linked programs.
For drivers, the practical takeaway is simpler: an existing gasoline car does not become illegal in 2035, and used gasoline cars are generally not banned. The main change is likely to be the mix of new cars automakers offer in affected states.
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