“12 US states are planning to ban the sale of gas-powered cars” is an outdated and misleading description. The states commonly included in that list are not banning residents from owning, driving, or buying used gasoline vehicles. Their rules generally require automakers to increase the share of new zero-emission vehicles—and, in some states, qualifying plug-in hybrids—they sell or deliver.
That distinction matters financially. If you live in one of these states, the main potential effect is on the price, availability, resale value, and financing of new cars over the next decade—not an immediate requirement to replace your current vehicle.
What the alleged gas-car ban actually covers
California’s Advanced Clean Cars II program is the model for many state rules. It applies to manufacturers’ sales of new passenger cars and light-duty trucks. California’s zero-emission-vehicle target rises from 35% of new sales in model year 2026 to 68% in 2030 and 100% in 2035.
“Zero-emission vehicle” does not always mean a battery-electric vehicle. Depending on the state rule and the model, qualifying plug-in hybrids can satisfy part of a manufacturer’s requirement. A conventional hybrid that cannot be plugged in is not automatically treated as a zero-emission vehicle.
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These programs do not generally:
- Require you to scrap or sell a gasoline car you already own.
- Prohibit driving a gasoline vehicle after 2035.
- Eliminate the used-gasoline-car market.
- Require individual consumers to purchase an EV.
- Apply the same deadline and percentage in every state.
For example, Oregon says new gasoline vehicles remain available through model year 2034, while its model-year-2035 requirement applies to new passenger cars, SUVs, and light-duty pickups. New Jersey’s rule begins with model year 2027 and explicitly says its obligations fall on manufacturers, not consumers or dealers.
Which 12 states are usually included?
The 2024 article behind the headline listed California, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Washington. That list should not be read as a list of 12 identical, finalized bans.
| State | What the current record shows | What a car buyer should know |
|---|---|---|
| California | Adopted Advanced Clean Cars II. The target reaches 100% ZEV sales for model year 2035, with qualifying plug-in hybrids included in the program. | California has the earliest and most influential program, but its federal waiver and enforcement authority are involved in ongoing litigation. |
| Delaware | Adopted its own Advanced Clean Cars regulation in December 2023. Its ZEV requirement is capped at 82%, rather than the full California 100% target. Model year 2027 is the first effective year. | The state’s rule is not the same as California’s 2035 target. |
| Maine | Has not adopted Advanced Clean Cars II. Maine’s earlier clean-car program remains in effect through model year 2025, while its proposed ACC II rulemaking was terminated. | Maine should not be counted as having adopted the commonly described 2035 ban. |
| Maryland | Announced an intention to adopt ACC II and phase out new gasoline-powered vehicle sales by 2035. | This is better described as a regulatory program and policy commitment than a ban on existing or used vehicles. |
| Massachusetts | Adopted ACC II and set a 100% ZEV sales requirement for model year 2035. | MassDEP announced enforcement discretion for manufacturers that miss the model-year-2026 and 2027 targets if they meet specified conditions. |
| New Jersey | Adopted ACC II in December 2023. The program starts with model year 2027 and rises to 100% ZEV sales in 2035. | The rule regulates manufacturers rather than requiring consumers to replace their vehicles. |
| New York | Has pursued a 2035 zero-emission requirement for new passenger cars, pickup trucks, and SUVs through legislation and regulations. | The target concerns new vehicles, not the vehicles already registered in the state. |
| Oregon | Adopted ACC II in 2022. By model year 2035, new passenger cars, SUVs, and light-duty pickups must be battery-electric or plug-in hybrid under the state’s explanation. | New gasoline models remain available before the 2035 model-year requirement. |
| Pennsylvania | Has historically followed some California low-emission standards, but the cited CARB state table does not show a finalized Pennsylvania ACC II adoption. | It should not be presented as a confirmed member of a uniform 12-state ban. |
| Rhode Island | Adopted ACC II in 2023. | The requirement is directed at new-vehicle sales and manufacturers, not ownership of gasoline vehicles. |
| Vermont | Adopted ACC II, including a 2035 zero-emission requirement for new vehicle sales. | Used gasoline vehicles and existing gasoline vehicles remain legal. |
| Washington | Adopted California-based clean-vehicle standards, with new-vehicle ZEV requirements reaching 2035. | Washington materials state that existing gasoline vehicles remain legal and hybrids continue to be allowed. |
Why the “12 states” claim needs updating
The number comes from a 2024 list that combined several different situations: finalized rules, proposed actions, California-linked standards, and political or administrative commitments. Since then, state and federal legal developments have made the shorthand even less reliable.
Connecticut, for instance, moved toward adopting California’s ZEV rules but the governor withdrew the proposal after legislative opposition. Colorado has California-related standards and an EV-sales target but not the same 2035 prohibition described in the headline. New Mexico has pursued ZEV targets while stating that its program does not prohibit sales or ownership of new or used gasoline vehicles. Virginia’s connection to California standards has also been politically and legally contested.
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At the federal level, EPA granted California’s ACC II waiver in January 2025. Congress later passed a Congressional Review Act resolution targeting that waiver, and President Trump signed it in June 2025. California and other states challenged that action, arguing that the waiver is an adjudicatory order that cannot be reviewed through the CRA. The dispute remained active in 2026, alongside separate federal litigation challenging California’s authority.
That means a state can have a rule on its books while the rule’s practical enforcement is affected by litigation, federal action, or an agency’s enforcement-discretion policy. Consumers should check their state environmental agency’s current rules rather than rely on a viral list.
What this could mean for your finances
1. Your current gasoline car is not automatically stranded
There is no general 2035 requirement to replace a gasoline vehicle. You can generally continue driving, registering, maintaining, and selling an existing gasoline car, subject to ordinary state rules such as emissions testing, registration, insurance, and safety requirements.
A used gasoline vehicle can also continue to be sold. The rules focus primarily on new vehicles sold or delivered by manufacturers. If you own a reliable paid-off car, keeping it may remain the lowest-cost option even as new-car standards change.
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2. New-car prices and model availability may change
Manufacturers may respond to sales requirements by changing which models they send to a state, adjusting incentives, or raising prices on vehicles that are expensive to supply. A state rule does not guarantee that every EV will be cheaper than every gasoline car.
On the other hand, increased competition, federal or state incentives, and lower battery costs could reduce EV purchase prices over time. Compare the complete cost rather than assuming either technology is always cheaper.
3. Compare total ownership cost, not just the sticker price
When comparing an EV, plug-in hybrid, hybrid, and gasoline car, include:
- Purchase price after rebates and tax credits.
- Loan interest and the length of the auto loan.
- Electricity or gasoline costs based on your annual mileage.
- Home-charging installation, if needed.
- Insurance premiums.
- Routine maintenance and expected repairs.
- Registration fees, which can differ for EVs.
- Expected resale value.
An EV may have lower routine maintenance and fuel costs, but a buyer without home charging may pay more for public charging. A plug-in hybrid can reduce gasoline use while retaining an engine for longer trips, although its purchase price and maintenance needs may differ from both an EV and a conventional car.
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4. Do not buy early solely because of the headline
If your current car is safe and dependable, replacing it immediately to “beat the ban” is usually not a personal-finance strategy. Taking on a new car loan to avoid a possible future change can cost more than keeping a paid-off vehicle.
Before buying, check the specific model-year rule in your state, whether the vehicle is new or used, the availability of manufacturer incentives, and your charging options. A used gasoline car may remain a sensible choice for years, particularly for a buyer who values a low purchase price and does not have reliable access to charging.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What happens after 2035?
The 2035 date refers to a target for new-vehicle sales or deliveries, generally by model year. It does not mean that every vehicle on the road becomes electric in 2035. Cars sold before that date can remain in service, and used-car transactions can continue.
The exact outcome is unsettled because the states do not have identical rules, some agencies have allowed enforcement discretion, and federal lawsuits may change California’s ability to enforce its standards. Treat 2035 as a planning horizon—not as a date when gasoline cars disappear from dealerships, roads, or used-car lots nationwide.
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How to verify the rule before buying a car
- Go to your state’s environmental or air-quality agency website.
- Search for “Advanced Clean Cars II,” “ZEV,” and the specific model year.
- Confirm whether the rule has been adopted, proposed, delayed, or subject to enforcement discretion.
- Ask the dealer whether the vehicle is new, used, previously titled, or being delivered from another state.
- Price the car using your full ownership cost, including financing, charging or fuel, insurance, taxes, and registration.
FAQ
Are gasoline cars illegal after 2035 in these states?
No. The rules generally concern manufacturers’ sales of new passenger vehicles and light-duty trucks. Existing gasoline cars can generally remain on the road, and used gasoline vehicles can generally still be bought and sold.
Can I buy a new gasoline car after 2035?
It depends on the state, the final rule, the vehicle type, and future legal developments. Some programs allow qualifying plug-in hybrids, while Delaware’s requirement is capped below 100%. Do not assume all 12 states have the same restriction.
Does Maine currently have the same gas-car ban as California?
No. Maine’s official clean-transportation information says it has not adopted Advanced Clean Cars II. Its earlier Advanced Clean Cars program remains in effect through model year 2025.
Should I replace my gasoline car now?
Not solely because of this headline. If your current vehicle is reliable and paid off, keeping it may be cheaper than taking on a new loan. Compare the costs of fuel, charging, maintenance, insurance, registration, financing, and resale value before deciding.
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The Bottom Line
The claim that 12 states are banning gas-powered cars is not an accurate description of the current situation. Several states have adopted or pursued rules that push automakers toward zero-emission new-car sales by 2035, but the programs differ—and some states on the original list have not finalized ACC II rules.
For household budgets, the practical message is straightforward: you do not generally have to replace your current gasoline vehicle, and used gasoline cars are not being eliminated. If you are shopping for a new vehicle, verify your state’s current model-year requirements and compare the full ownership cost of gasoline, hybrid, plug-in hybrid, and electric options.
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