TRENTON, N.J. — New Jersey will prohibit the sale of new gasoline-powered vehicles by 2035, with restrictions starting as early as 2027, state officials announced this year.
Get them while you can because the prices of gas-powered cars will likely skyrocket once the government starts limiting sales, creating a false supply and demand for the vehicles.
What happens when dealers hit their annual limits on gas-powered car sales? Your guess is as good as ours at this point.
According to the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), the rule, which will take effect on January 1, 2027, marks the beginning of a phased approach toward zero-emission vehicles. The state plans to gradually limit the number of new gasoline-powered cars sold, eventually reaching a complete ban by 2035.
New Jersey joins a growing list of states, including California, New York, and Massachusetts, that have implemented similar measures to improve air quality and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
The move does not ban the ownership or use of existing gasoline-powered vehicles or prevent the sale of used gas-powered cars within the state. Consumers will still have the option to purchase gas-fueled vehicles outside New Jersey and bring them into the state, provided they meet specific emissions standards.
“The steps we take today to lower emissions will improve air quality and mitigate climate impacts for generations to come, all while increasing access to cleaner car choices,” Governor Phil Murphy said in a statement.
The DEP emphasized that the new regulations are designed to expand consumer options for cleaner vehicles rather than forcing a transition to electric vehicles. The gradual implementation is intended to give the automotive industry and consumers time to adjust to the upcoming changes.