A 1960s effort to ban gas-powered cars offers lessons for today

In the late 1960s, California Senator Nicholas Petris nearly succeeded in banning gas-powered cars, a battle echoing today’s climate debates.

Scott W. Stern reports for Grist.

In short:

Nicholas Petris pushed for a ban on gas-powered cars in California starting in 1975, responding to growing concerns over smog and air pollution.
Despite initial ridicule, Petris’ bill passed the state Senate but was ultimately defeated due to intense lobbying by the auto industry.
The movement to phase out gas cars gained traction nationwide, influencing future emissions standards.

Key quote:

“The damage has been done The car is now looked upon like some kind of dangerous drug.”

— San Jose car dealer, reflecting on public sentiment

Why this matters:

The struggle to phase out gas-powered cars has a long history, revealing that industry resistance and public advocacy play critical roles in environmental change efforts.

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A 1960s effort to ban gas-powered cars offers lessons for today

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