California to ban gas-powered small engines, including generators, lawnmowers, and even golf carts

California Gov. Gavin Newsom has signed a new law banning the sale of small, off-road gasoline-powered engines in the Golden State beginning in January of 2024.

Under the new regulations, Californians will be unable to buy new gas-powered generators, lawn equipment, pressure washers, chainsaws, weed trimmers or even golf carts. The new law states these machines must be “zero-emissions,” meaning they will have to be either battery-powered or plug-in, according to the Los Angeles Times.

According to Yahoo News, the National Association of Landscape Professionals stated that zero-emission commercial equipment is both more expensive and less efficient than gas-powered equipment. For example, a gas-powered riding lawn mower costs between $7,000-$11,000 while the zero-emissions version costs more than twice that amount, and the battery does not last long enough to provide comparable use.

This new law is no doubt targeted at limiting the sale of gasoline and diesel-powered electricity generators in the state, which have been in high demand as Californians have experienced years of blackouts to prevent wildfires. As such, this law is the next logical step in California’s quest to vanquish the ability of its residents to have affordable electricity.