The Great and Good of Banning New ICE Cars in 2035

Internal combustion engine (ICE) cars are notorious carbon emitters, causing global temperatures to rise. By adopting EVs wholeheartedly, we have a real chance to reduce emissions and avoid climate catastrophe — which is why governments around the world are pledging to stop selling new gas-powered cars by 2035. But a study by the University of California, Berkeley together with Gridlab and the think tank Energy Innovation reveals several more compelling reasons to make the switch as soon as possible.

The Financial Case

Within the next five years, the total cost of ownership of an EV is expected to fall below that of a comparable ICE car. The UC Berkeley study projects that by going all-electric, US citizens will collectively save around $2.7 trillion between now and 2050. That works out to roughly $1,000 per year for every American household over the next three decades — a powerful economic argument that goes well beyond environmental altruism.

The Public Health Case

Electrification dramatically reduces air pollution, which in turn prevents tens of thousands of premature deaths from respiratory and cardiovascular disease, as well as a significant reduction in asthma cases. This benefit will be felt most strongly in low-income communities and communities of color, where air pollution from traffic is historically highest. The transition to EVs isn't just a climate story — it's a health equity story too.

The Jobs Case

The short-term job picture in the auto manufacturing sector is uncertain as factories retool for EV production. But the medium and long-term outlook is positive. As manufacturers ramp up EV and battery production, the number of green jobs — mechanical engineering technicians, machine tool operators, industrial designers, mechanics, and more — is expected to grow significantly. The EV transition isn't the end of automotive employment; it's a restructuring of it toward a cleaner, more sustainable industry.