ONE of the United States' biggest car markets will be going all-electric in 2035. The news confirms that by 2035 petrol-powered motor vehicles in the state will be banned, with trucks also needing to be emissions-free ten years later.
While the document makes no direct mention of motorcycles, a footnote on California Governor, Gavin Newsom’s ordinance states that the electric switch to electric will also affect off-road machines. This will include enduro and motocross motorcycles, side-by-side four-wheelers, and ATVs, all of which are extremely good sellers in the most rugged state of California.
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While the ban looks set to impact off-road machines, it looks as though road-going motorcycles and those ridden by licenced riders look to have swerved the new order.
It’s likely that the move made in the state is down to public pressure from residents that have been living through one of the worst wildfire periods in recent history. In 2018 the state saw over 8,500 fires, with nearly 2m acres of land razed to the ground.
While the new order applies to new vehicles, there is nothing to stop people from buying petrol-powered vehicles on the second-hand market. In fact, the change could provide the market for second-hand petrol-powered cars and bikes a welcome boost. Especially given that not all will be so keen to make the switch to alternative fuels.
Gov Newsom’s order also asks the California Air Resources Board to "consistently pay attention to technological feasibility and cost efficiency". Basically, this gives manufacturers the chance to fight against the ban, should it not be feasible to uphold it. The chances of this actually happening though are slim as many manufacturers have already built strong footholds in the electric sector.
