In recent years, Virginia had been on track to implement some of the nation’s strictest vehicle emissions standards, closely mirroring California’s ambitious clean car policies. Under a 2021 law, Virginia agreed to adopt California’s “Advanced Clean Cars” rules, which included a phased ban on the sale of new gasoline and diesel vehicles, culminating in a full ban by 2035.
The plan required a growing percentage of new vehicles sold to be electric or hybrid, with the aim of reaching 100% zero-emission vehicle sales by 2035.
The Reversal: Governor Youngkin’s Announcement
On June 5, 2024, Governor Glenn Youngkin announced that Virginia would exit the California electric vehicle (EV) mandate at the end of 2024. This move means Virginia will no longer be bound to California’s evolving emissions standards, including the ban on new gas and diesel vehicle sales. Instead, starting January 1, 2025, Virginia will revert to following federal emissions standards.
Governor Youngkin emphasized that Virginians should have the freedom to choose what vehicles best fit their needs, criticizing the idea of out-of-state mandates dictating local policy. The decision was supported by an official opinion from Attorney General Jason Miyares, who confirmed that Virginia’s law does not require compliance with California’s latest, more expansive regulations (“Advanced Clean Cars II”).
What Vehicles Were Affected?
Under the now-canceled mandate, the following vehicles would have been banned from new sales in Virginia by 2035:
# New gasoline-powered cars and trucks
# New diesel-powered cars and trucks
# Most new hybrid vehicles (depending on emissions thresholds)
# New flex-fuel vehicles
This would not have affected existing vehicles or used vehicle sales, but would have dramatically reshaped the new car market in Virginia.
Why the Change?
The move to exit the mandate was driven by several factors:
# Local Control: State leaders argued that Virginia’s vehicle policies should be decided by Virginians, not California regulators.
# Consumer Choice: Critics of the mandate said it would limit consumer options and potentially raise costs for families and businesses.
# Legal Clarity: The Attorney General’s opinion clarified that Virginia is not legally required to follow California’s latest rules.
Political and Industry Reactions
The decision has sparked political debate. Supporters, including industry groups and some consumer advocates, praised the move as a win for choice and affordability. Opponents, including some state legislators and environmental groups, argue that the reversal is reckless and undermines efforts to combat climate change.
What Happens Next?
# Virginia will continue to allow the sale of new gasoline, diesel, and hybrid vehicles beyond 2025.
# The state will follow federal, not California, emissions standards for new vehicles starting in 2025.
# The political and legal debate over the state’s environmental policy is likely to continue, with some legislators vowing to challenge the governor’s decision.
Conclusion
Despite earlier plans to phase out new gas and diesel vehicles, Virginia has reversed course and will not implement a California-style ban. Virginians will retain the ability to purchase a wide range of new vehicles, including traditional gas and diesel models, as the state returns to federal emissions standards.
“The idea that government should tell people what kind of car they can or can’t purchase is fundamentally wrong. Virginians deserve the freedom to choose which vehicles best fit the needs of their families and businesses.”
— Governor Glenn Youngkin
In summary: No specific vehicles have just been banned in Virginia. Instead, the state has canceled a future ban on new gas and diesel vehicles, restoring consumer choice and local control over vehicle policy.
Sources:-
[1] https://www.heritage.org/government-regulation/commentary/virginia-breaks-free-californias-car-restrictions
[2] https://www.governor.virginia.gov/newsroom/news-releases/2024/june/name-1028520-en.html
[3] https://abc3340.com/news/nation-world/virginia-is-latest-state-to-cancel-mandate-requiring-sale-of-only-evs-by-2035-electric-vehicles-cars-emissions-governor-glenn-youngkin-california-law-advanced-clean-car-rule-gas-diesel-car-ban-chet-thompson-transportation-policy
[4] https://californiaglobe.com/fr/virginia-becomes-first-state-to-drop-californias-vehicle-emissions-standards-and-gas-car-ban/
[5] https://www.afpm.org/newsroom/blog/updated-why-california-vehicle-bans-virginia-policy-matter-afpm
[6] https://reason.com/2024/06/05/glenn-youngkin-withdraws-virginia-from-californias-electric-vehicle-mandate/