Newsom’s 2035 vehicle ban fuels a hoard of responses

Q

I hope there is a massive chorus of people asking for a state and a federal bill to ban the sale of fossil-fueled vehicles much earlier than 2035. I am very, very grateful for the leadership of Gov. Gavin Newsom.

— Donna Davies

A

Newsom’s call to ban selling new gas-powered cars in 2035 led to dozens of comments, so many that today is the start of three columns on the mind-boggling topic. Buckle your seat belt and let’s get started.

Q

I totally agree with your sentiments on climate change action. It’s exciting that Gov. Newsom is taking bold action.

— Anne Infeld, Mountain View

Q

Gary, thank you for your clear response to the reader asking about the transition to electric vehicles. It helps to be reminded that a transition to an electrified economy leads to better local air quality, meaning fewer cases of heart disease, childhood asthma, and so on.

— Ed Mauer

A

I watch our 2-year- old grandson happily play in the backyard when he visits, oblivious to the fact that the air is sometimes so smoky that he cannot safely do that. I worry about the world we will leave him.

Q

You got it right. We are way behind in curbing climate change, and Gov. Newsom’s bold move to phase out gasoline is the right thing to do. As other states wake up to the damage climate change is doing, they will follow California’s lead.

— Terry Nagel

A

They often do. Last week, Wallbox, a Spain-based manufacturer of smart EV charging solutions, announced a new charger coming to the U.S. in response to an anticipated ban of gas-powered cars in California.

Q

As we live through droughts, wildfires, smoke, hurricanes, and floods, I applaud your call for decisive action to curb climate disruption. We have the know-how to make widespread adoption of EVS work — more renewable energy and electricity storage, rooftop solar and adjusting electricity rates to encourage daytime charging when there is surplus solar on the grid. And we have some time to prepare our grid for the needed transformation. We won’t all buy EVS tomorrow.

— Barbara Fukumoto Sunnyvale

Q

It is not hyperbole to say that ultimately our very existence depends on banning gaspowered vehicles.

— Carol Cross, Redwood City

A

And today’s final words …

Q

I want to thank you for your sensible response to the person concerned about the grid capacity and stability with the direction of our transportation stock going allelectric. Earth is getting hotter and more unstable. Gov. Newsom took a bold step with this mandate.

— Connie Miller, Los Altos

A

Coming Monday, reaction from those concerned that Gov. Newsom’s call is too bold.