By the SEMA Washington, D.C., office
In a surprising move, Delaware has decided not to impose a ban on the sale of new gas- and diesel-powered vehicles.
After the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control finalized regulations to adopt California's latest motor-vehicle emissions laws through 2032, the state stopped short of banning the sale of new internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles beginning in 2035.
This new initiative will require automakers to deliver an increasing number of zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs) for sale in Delaware, reaching 82% by model-year '32. The initial proposal, which was shot down, envisioned a 100% ZEVs target by 2035.
The change comes just days after Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont pulled his state's similar regulation, highlighting the ongoing debate over the pace and scope of ZEV adoption. Both Delaware and Connecticut have historically followed California's tailpipe laws.
SEMA believes that Delaware's residents, not the government, should decide what vehicles are best for them and their families. The automotive industry is embracing new technology to make cars cleaner and more efficient, which includes hydrogen, new synthetic fuels, alternative fuels and improvements to the internal combustion engine. The government should allow the market to continue to innovate all forms of technology that significantly reduce vehicle emissions.
For more information, contact Kiley Chapley at kileyc@sema.org.