California lawmakers risk 'gigantic costs' to cut emissions in transportation

Transportation is the leading source of carbon emissions in the United States, and Democratic-led state governments are increasingly targeting the sector in proposals that would shift vehicles away from fossil-fuel power to electric.

California lawmakers, already committed to producing 100% of the state’s electricity from renewable sources by 2045, are debating how to transition its transportation network off fossil fuels. In 2017, California Assembly member Phil Ting proposed a bill that would ban selling new cars powered by internal combustion engines by 2040. Others have focused on making electric cars more affordable by offering tax incentives and subsidies.