Will Maryland replicate California’s ban on new gas cars by 2035? Advocates say it must.

Maryland legislators and environmental groups are urging Republican Gov. Larry Hogan’s administration to adopt California’s new electric vehicle standards by the end of the year, or risk falling behind the Golden State. California’s regulation requires an increasing percentage of light-duty vehicles sold in the state to be zero-emission. By model year 2035, all new passenger cars, trucks and SUVs sold in the state will need to be electric, with a maximum of 20% of models being plug-in hybrids. The rule was approved by the California Air Resources Board in August, following a 2020 executive order from California Gov. Gavin Newsom.