California’s New “Zero Emissions Zones” Take Aim at Classic Car Owners

California legislators always seem to find a way to be on the cutting edge of stepping on car enthusiasts’ toes. One trip to Google will reveal a wide variety of legislation that has been put in place by the state in order to crack down on anybody who attempts to have fun with an automobile in pretty much any way.

Unfortunately for Californians, it appears this trend won’t be reversing anytime soon. The state recently committed to phasing out the sale of new gasoline-powered vehicles by 2035. This raises questions about what will happen to pre-existing cars or vehicles from other states that find their way to California. We could end up with a bit of a crisis for those who are late to switch to electric vehicles, if they even want to make the change at all. Those who enjoy cars as a hobby seem to be next on the chopping block as well.

The California Air Resources Board (CARB) is currently in the early stages of gathering information for the implementation of “zero emissions zones.” The data being collected includes usage patterns, storage locations, and mileage driven for classic cars. While CARB hasn’t detailed the specifics, speculation suggests that certain areas may prohibit classic cars from driving altogether. Classic car owners are also concerned that their vehicles might be restricted to special events like car shows and parades, eliminating the possibility of regular road use.

In the past, California was a hub of car culture, one might even call it the birthplace in some regards, but it now seems that the government is targeting this culture in its questionable tactics in the fight against climate change. Despite studies indicating that automotive enthusiasts make a negligible contribution to climate change, authorities continue their pursuit. Hopefully, there will be some changes to these regulations, as it currently appears that classic cars are squarely in the crosshairs.