November 18, 2019

Auto News

California bans state purchase of most gas vehicles

The government of California will stop buying gas-powered sedans as part of Gov. Gavin Newsom's efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

The Department of General Services issued the directive Friday. It's not a wholesale change, though, as it doesn't affect the state's purchase of some public safety vehicles.

The department said it also plans to ban vehicle purchases from automakers that don't recognize the state's emission standards.

"DGS is committed to ensuring we do our part to achieve California's climate goals," DGS Director Daniel Kim said. "Our state continues to lead by example by eliminating sedans solely powered by gas. This is one of many steps California has taken, and will continue to take, to drive demand for green vehicles. The nation looks to California to drive positive, environmental change, and we will not waver from our commitment to that effort."

In July, four of the world's largest automakers -- BMW, Ford, Honda and Volkswagen -- reached an agreement with California to raise gas mileage and emissions standards. Under the pact, fuel economy and carbon emissions standards would rise nearly 4 percent every year from the 2022 model year through 2026.

A year ago, the state announced plans to transition all public buses to all-electric from gas-powered by 2040.

Car Care Tip

Time to Put Winter Air in the Tires

Tires lose a pound of pressure for every drop of 10 degrees Fahrenheit. Now that winter is fast approaching you should get down there with the gauge and make sure your tires are inflated to the car-maker's pressures.

An underinflated tire won't bite through snow down to the pavement as well as one at pressure. It's similar to hydroplaning on water - and just as dangerous. You may have heard the guidance to let air out of your tires for sand or snow to get more surface area. That only applies if the surface is bottomlessly soft, like a beach or foot-deep, unplowed snow - not the mix of cleared road, ice and packed snow most of us encounter in winter driving.

And don't forget to put the valve caps back on when you're done. If moisture gets in there and freezes, it could let the valve core leak out air.

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Thanks for reading,

The Editor

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