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California’s Bold Move: EPA Approves Phase-Out of Gas-Powered Cars by 2035

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has granted California the authority to enforce a groundbreaking regulation banning the sale of most new gasoline- and diesel-powered cars and light trucks starting in 2035. This decision, rooted in California’s unique ability to set stricter emissions standards under the Clean Air Act, signals a pivotal shift toward zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs) in the nation’s most populous state.

California’s journey toward this ambitious goal began in 2022 when the state outlined its multi-year strategy to reduce fossil fuel vehicle sales. The plan includes a gradual phase-out, culminating in a complete ban by 2035. Automakers have had mixed reactions to the policy. While many have acknowledged California’s right to impose stricter standards and have pledged to scale down the production of fossil fuel vehicles, they have also sought more time to comply. Some automakers have lobbied for federal intervention, calling for relief from the aggressive timelines.

“We anticipate that President Trump’s administration will attempt to revoke this waiver in 2025,” said John Bozzella, CEO of the Alliance for Automotive Innovation. His statement reflects the ongoing political tug-of-war surrounding California’s authority to enforce its own emissions standards, a power that has been repeatedly challenged in recent years.

The Roadmap To 2035: Milestones Along The Way

California’s transition will not happen overnight. Starting in 2026, the state will require that 35% of new vehicle sales be zero-emission vehicles, which include electric and hydrogen-powered models. By 2030, that percentage will rise to 68%, ultimately reaching 100% by 2035. Notably, plug-in hybrid vehicles will still be permitted to account for up to 20% of total sales, provided they have a minimum electric range of 50 miles.

Zero-emission vehicles are already making inroads in the market. In the third quarter of this year, ZEVs accounted for 26.4% of all new vehicle sales in California—a clear sign that consumer adoption is accelerating.

Political Pushback: Will History Repeat Itself?

While the Biden administration’s EPA has given California the green light to move forward with its ZEV ambitions, history suggests that the road ahead may be bumpy. During President Trump’s previous administration, California’s waiver to enforce its own emissions standards was revoked in 2019. It took the Biden administration’s EPA three years to reinstate it, following a lawsuit filed by 23 states against the federal government. If the waiver is challenged again, experts believe it could take another protracted legal battle to resolve.

Revoking the waiver would not be a simple task. The previous effort to rescind it took 18 months, underscoring the complexity and legal scrutiny involved in reversing the policy. Still, industry insiders expect renewed efforts to overturn the waiver if the political landscape shifts in 2025.

Ripple Effects Beyond California

California’s influence extends beyond its borders. Sixteen other states and the District of Columbia have adopted elements of California’s emissions standards, with many of them pledging to phase out gas-powered cars as well. This network of aligned states amplifies the impact of California’s policy, creating a ripple effect that could reshape the U.S. auto market.

With the 2035 deadline fast approaching, the stage is set for a historic transition in the automotive industry. California’s zero-emission vehicle mandate not only aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions but also positions the state as a leader in the global race for cleaner, greener transportation.

Europe’s Deadly Summer Heat Exposed The Cost Of A Warming Continent

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

Europe experienced its deadliest summer for heat-related deaths on record in 2026, with an estimated 24,400 excess deaths linked to extreme temperatures across 30 countries. Researchers estimate that human-induced climate change was responsible for around 32,000 of the deaths attributed to heat in the study’s broader analysis, accounting for 65% of the total.

The findings highlight the growing public-health consequences of global warming, largely driven by fossil fuel use, as extreme heat becomes more frequent and severe.

A Summer Of Dangerous Heat

Between June and August, heatwaves pushed temperatures in Western Europe to an average of 2.9°C above the 1991–2020 norm, with some days reaching 12°C above average. Nearly a third of estimated heat-related deaths occurred during a particularly intense heatwave between 17 June and 1 July.

“These numbers are a stark reminder that our hotter, more extreme summers are having an increasingly severe impact on public health,” said Dr Clair Barnes, a researcher at Imperial College London and co-author of the study.

The estimated toll exceeded previous peaks of around 29,000 deaths in summer 2022 and 28,000 in 2003 across the region studied.

How Researchers Estimated The Toll

Researchers modelled the relationship between temperature and mortality across 854 urban areas in the EU, UK, Norway and Switzerland, covering around 40% of the population in the 30 countries studied.

The analysis incorporated temperature records, age, socioeconomic conditions, environmental factors and access to healthcare. By comparing actual temperatures with those expected without human-induced warming, the team estimated the additional deaths attributable to climate change.

Final official mortality figures for summer 2026 are not yet available in many countries, and heat-related deaths are often underreported because their effects can be difficult to identify directly.

Older People Face The Greatest Risk

People aged 85 and over accounted for roughly half of the estimated deaths. However, the impact extended across age groups, with around 800 excess deaths among adults aged 20–44 and approximately 6,000 among people under 65.

Southern Europe experienced the highest mortality burden, reflecting hotter temperatures and other vulnerabilities, including air pollution, limited green space and unequal access to healthcare and heat-alert systems.

Italy, France And Spain Record Highest Toll

Italy recorded an estimated 13,303 heat-related excess deaths, followed by France with 7,268 and Spain with 6,824. Germany recorded around 6,340, while the UK saw an estimated 4,354 deaths.

In the UK, the heat also placed significant pressure on healthcare services. Andrew Hartle, Professor of Practice of Anaesthesia at Imperial College Healthcare, said demand during the summer resembled that of a severe winter virus season.

Cities Urged To Strengthen Heat Protection

Researchers say cities can reduce the risks through climate shelters, external shading and building retrofits, alongside measures to help residents avoid exposure during the hottest hours. Checking on vulnerable people, staying hydrated and following heat alerts are also important.

The researchers stress that adaptation must go hand in hand with reducing fossil fuel use to limit further warming. The findings underline that extreme heat is already a major public-health threat across Europe, with thousands of lives at risk each summer.

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