After a season of record-breaking wildfires, California Gov. Gavin Newsom sparked change by signing an executive order that would transition the state to only selling zero-emission vehicles by the year 2035. Cal Poly Pomona students offered their opinion on the new policy.
The executive order will require all new cars and trucks sold in the state to be zero-emission, while vehicles with internal combustion engines would only be allowed to be sold used on the secondary market. This order is aimed to cut down on California’s carbon emissions.
“I think there is a problem with emissions from cars,” said William Lee, a third-year marketing management student. “I think this law is trying to fast track innovation. Once you put a time stamp on something, it tends to get done faster.”
Newsom introduced this initiative with the primary goals of both innovation and environmental protection. The prioritization of zero-emission vehicles on the primary market is expected to help accelerate innovation, while also cutting down carbon emissions as part of Newsom’s plan to fight climate change.
CPP boasts 22 charging stations in Lot H and another 24 in Parking Structure II.
“As much as people are going to dislike this move, this is where the industry’s heading,” said Ismail Dubuni, a fifth-year electromechanical engineering major. “Once the time rolls around, people will be convinced that it is the way to go.”
The executive order is also a part of Newsom’s plan to combat climate change. According to the California Daily Wildfire Report, fires rage across California, and a reported 3.9 million acres have burned.
According to the statement from the governor’s office, half of all California’s carbon pollution comes from the transportation sector. Approximately 80 percent of the state’s smog-forming pollution and 95 percent of toxic diesel emissions also occur as a result of pollution from the transportation sector.
By expanding zero-emission transportation and eventually limiting internal combustion engine cars sales to the secondary market, the initiative is intended to help foster growth in the industry of clean air vehicles. According to the ca.gov website, the upfront cost is expected to reach equivalence with gas-powered cars within only a few years.
“I think it’s good to have some sort of leadership in this area,” said Harry Muttram, a fourth-year political science student. “This is a good reminder to Americans that climate change is real. We’re setting a precedent for the rest of the country. If we don’t make change, there will be nothing for people to inherit.”
(Feature image courtesy of Andrew Roberts)