ESL Learning Material: California Bans Gas Cars
Description
Vocal Characteristics
Language
EnglishVoice Age
Young Adult (18-35)Accents
North American (General)Transcript
Note: Transcripts are generated using speech recognition software and may contain errors.
California bans gas cars, the slow death of the internal combustion engine California. The U. S. State with the largest population and gross domestic product has frequently made headlines for its ambitious environmental policies for better or worse, the state has had to act with extraordinary prudence. E as climate change increasingly ravages its forests with wildfires and water supply with droughts, legal spats have not stopped California from addressing the climate crisis head on and now its newest policy is its most aggressive yet a total ban on the sale of gas powered automobiles. The ban to go into effect in 2035 after it was originally laid out in a 2020 executive order is the US is only by 2026, of automakers. Sales must be zero emission, a figure that increases to 68% by 2030 by 2035. All new automobiles sold in the state must be powered by electric batteries or hydrogen fuel cells. How California regulates the environment, influences the policies of over a dozen states, which often legislate in line with California's decisions. So on the one hand, California's ban on gas powered vehicles will greatly decelerate the U. S. Is and critically the world's reliance on gas powered vehicles. One of the greatest polluting industries. But on the other hand, we are already hearing serious criticisms from other states like texas that do not prioritize green energy and sustainability initiatives. The ban, critics argue will hurt lower and middle income consumers as electric vehicles currently have a higher sticker price than gas powered vehicles though on average electric vehicles cost less per month when factoring in trips to the gas station. Detractors also say that it will increase dependence on chinese manufactured electric batteries. Still, California's new band comes at what looks like an inflection point in the electric vehicle market. The recently passed inflation reduction act includes tax credits for purchasers and producers of electric cars, and automakers are already increasing their electric vehicle production, plus the share of newly purchased vehicles that are electric is increasing and perhaps may accelerate across the board. Once more states follow California's lead, although criticisms and even legal challenges are sure to follow California's ban, its impact is sure to be felt far and wide.