If you drive a classic car in California, you may have to keep it in the garage.
California’s Air Resources Board, or CARB, wants to make “zero emissions zones” prohibiting internal combustion engines. Currently in California, if you own a car built before 1975, you are not required to pass a Smog Check. California is seemingly targeting those car owners with proposed zero emissions zones, which are common in Europe and only allow electric vehicles (EVs), pedestrians and cyclists.
It appears CARB is targeting vintage cars to meet their very aggressive net-zero carbon goal set for 2045. The agency is gathering information on classic car owners on how they use, store and drive their vehicles. In Europe, if your car does not meet the emissions goals, you must purchase a special plate, and then they place plate readers in the zones to fine violators.
California could do the same, limiting when you drive, what you drive, and where you drive.
What happens if you drive a non-compliant vehicle through the no emissions zone? A fine? Your car impounded? And if you have special plates at the wrong time, would police then ask why you’re on the road? How about paying a daily fee to drive? A lot of questions for classic car owners.
And if you think it won’t happen, ask landscapers. They’re facing a gas-powered equipment ban that starts in 2024.