Oregon is the latest state to plan to phase out ICE cars, SUVs, and light trucks by 2035. But there will be a major loophole for car buyers and automakers.
Like a number of other states, Oregon is now taking steps to solidify these plans via administrative rulemaking, rather than legislation or a governor's executive order. By comparison, the state of Washington has adopted the most ambitious agenda of the three west coast states,New York State Wants to Ban New Gas Cars by 2035
Like a number of other states, Oregon faces several hurdles in advancing toward the 2035 goal, ranging from current EV infrastructure in cities and outside cities, to power grid adequacy. But it's also setting interim targets: The first compliance step for automakers is just around the corner in 2026, with Oregon requiring that 35% of an automaker's offerings be battery-electric, PHEV, or hydrogen fuel cell by January 1 of that year.
"Oregon continues to see the consequences of greenhouse gas emissions across the state—with extreme heat, more severe wildfires, winter storms and flooding and prolonged drought—and I am committed to addressing the climate crisis with urgency," said Oregon Governor Kate Brown.The state will take a number of other interim steps to achieve the 2035 goal, including investments in EV infrastructure and grid reliability.