Gavin Newsom Defends Gas Car Ban Despite Opposition From Two-Thirds of California Voters

California Gov. Gavin Newsom is standing behind his push to phase out sales of new gas-powered vehicles, defending the policy even as new polling shows roughly two-thirds of California voters oppose the mandate.

Newsom defended the policy during an appearance Thursday, calling the transition away from gasoline vehicles “good public policy.” The governor argued that California should continue moving toward electric vehicles despite growing concerns from residents about affordability and the practicality of the transition.

California’s plan calls for all new passenger cars and light trucks sold in the state to be zero-emission vehicles by 2035. The policy does not prohibit Californians from continuing to own existing gasoline-powered vehicles or purchasing used ones.

But the mandate has become increasingly unpopular with California voters. A recent Public Policy Institute of California survey found that about two-thirds of voters oppose the state’s plan to end sales of new gas-powered cars, a dramatic reversal from earlier years when support for the policy was considerably stronger.

The opposition comes as affordability remains a major concern across California. Electric vehicles can carry higher upfront costs, while some residents remain concerned about charging availability, electricity prices and whether the state’s power infrastructure is prepared for a massive transition away from gasoline.

Newsom nevertheless argued that California should remain committed to its environmental goals. Transportation has long been one of the state’s largest sources of greenhouse gas emissions, and the governor has presented the shift toward zero-emission vehicles as a central part of California’s climate strategy.

The governor is also attempting to make electric vehicles more attractive financially. On Friday, Newsom unveiled a program offering first-time electric vehicle buyers in California instant rebates worth as much as $3,500, an effort aimed at reducing one of the biggest barriers to EV adoption.

The political fight over the mandate has also expanded beyond California. President Trump and congressional Republicans have moved against California’s ability to impose its own aggressive vehicle emissions requirements, making the state’s EV policies another major battleground between Trump and Newsom.

Despite the resistance, Newsom is showing no signs of backing away from his position. His defense puts him at odds with a large majority of voters in his own state and ensures that California’s push away from new gas-powered vehicles will remain a major political issue as the 2035 target approaches.