Massachusetts is set to ban the sale of new gas-powered vehicles by 2035

Massachusetts is set to ban the sale of new vehicles powered by gasoline and other fossil fuels by 2035.

The news marks it the second US state to make the announcement – California revealed similar plans last September.

The move does not ban the public from owning gas-powered cars or selling them on the used car market, but puts an end to new models being sold.

The mandate is a result of Massachusetts officials aiming to achieve net-zero greenhouse emissions by 2050.

Massachusetts governor, Charlie Baker, released a 2050 decarbonization road map that outlines the state’s plan to reach zero-emissions – and much of it will be done by reducing gas-powered passenger vehicles.

The document states that about 27 percent of statewide emissions stem from light-duty vehicles and need to be phased out by 2050.

The hope is to reduce emissions by 45 percent below 1990 levels by 2030 and then reach net-zero two decades later.

However, officials are not just throwing the idea out without formulating a stable plan that makes it work.

The state plans to increase the number of public charging facilities throughout Massachusetts to address the notion that many residents do not quick and easy access to such powering places (stock photo)

The state plans to increase the number of public charging facilities throughout Massachusetts to address the notion that many residents do not quick and easy access to such powering places.

Massachusetts reported having 30,000 electric vehicles on state roads, as of last year,.

But to reach the 2030 goal, it will need one million of the 5.5 million electric vehicles to be registered in the state by then, officials wrote in the plan.

‘Without market intervention, fewer than 500,000 vehicles on the road are projected to be electrified by 2030,’ it warns.

However, the 2050 decarbonization road map is not yet finalized and is subject to change.

California Governor Gavin Newsom made a similar announcement on September 22 in a bid to cut emissions by 35 percent in the US’s most populous state.

California’s plan is set to halt sales of new gasoline-powered passenger cars and trucks by 2035.

‘Pull away from the gas pumps,’ Newsom said.

‘Let us no longer be victims of geopolitical dictators that manipulate global supply chains and global markets.’

California is the world’s fifth-largest economy and Californians account for more than one out of every 10 new vehicles sold in the U.S. – market clout that means.

California’s plan is set to halt sales of new gasoline-powered passenger cars and trucks by 2035.  California (pictured) already has rules mandating a certain percentage of new car sales must be electric or zero-emission vehicles. The hope is to cut greenhouse emissions in the state

Newsom’s order could have a huge impact on the country´s auto industry and the global effort to reduce pollution and combat climate change.

Tailpipe exhaust from cars, pickups, tractor-trailer rigs and other transportation are the single largest source of air pollution.

Jessica Caldwell, executive director of insights at the Edmunds.com auto pricing site, said Newsom’s announcement ‘does seem like this is a significant shot fired against’ the internal combustion engine.

She expects the California announcement to trigger high-level meetings at all the auto companies which were moving toward electric vehicles but did not expect a zero-emissions mandate in 15 years.

Automakers may have to rethink manufacturing and capital spending plans because of the mandate, she said.