Lawmakers in Connecticut have decided not to go forward with a plan to stop the sale of new cars that run on gasoline by 2035. They are worried about whether this big of a change is possible, especially if the electric grid infrastructure and quantity of charging stations are ready for it.
In 2023, Governor Ned Lamont (D) decided not to go forward with a plan which would have made Connecticut follow California’s strict rules on pollution. If enacted, the legislation would have stopped the sale of new internal combustion cars starting in 2035. Lamont hit the brakes amid lack of support from lawmakers in both parties. Even though his own party has a majority in the legislature as a whole, the committee which has jurisdiction has an equal number of members from both parties, and they didn’t support the plan to adopt California’s standards.
Lawmakers were attempting to come to an agreement in a special session early 2024, however they could not agree on a compromise. Democratic lawmakers have decided not to try to get a ban passed, focusing instead on infrastructure initatives.