California Survey Finds 66 Percent Oppose Newsom Ban on New Gas Vehicles

A survey conducted June 29 to July 6 found that nearly 66 percent of California adults and likely voters oppose the executive order Governor Gavin Newsom signed in 2020 banning sales of new gasoline-powered vehicles by 2035, the New York Post reported. Opposition has increased across groups. The share of Democrats who oppose the order rose from 31 percent in 2021 to 50 percent in the latest poll.

Among independents, opposition grew from 56 percent to 69 percent. Overall, the share of adults who want to keep buying gas-powered cars increased 17 percentage points since 2021. The share of Californians seriously considering an electric vehicle purchase fell to about one-third, down from one-half five years ago.

Mark Baldassare, the institute’s survey director, linked the shift to higher utility prices and the expiration of federal tax credits. Six in 10 respondents said utility prices in their area are a major problem. Newsom signed legislation creating a $270 million state rebate program that offers $3,500 for qualifying new electric vehicles with a suggested retail price of $50,000 or less and $1,750 for used models priced at $25,000 or below.

Newsom stated on X that California is filling the void left by President Donald Trump and congressional Republicans repealing the federal electric vehicle tax credit. The state aims for a carbon-free grid by 2045. More than 1.25 million electric vehicles are registered in California, accounting for about one in five new vehicle sales last year, according to the California Energy Commission.