The government of New York is planning to ban the sales of all gas-powered all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) and Utility Terrain Vehicles (UTVs) by 2035 to support the shift to clean energy vehicles.
New York bill aims for zero-emission off-road vehicles
New York aims to launch a sales ban targeting gas ATVs in the new Senate Bill S8000. While not specifically indicated in the draft, UTVs will still be affected by the potential sales ban. As outlined, it will raise the weight limit of ATVs to “2 thousand pounds dry.”
The new bill, “all electric ATVs act of 2024,” seeks to have electric ATVs account for all new sales of such off-road vehicles by 2035.
“This bill requires 100% of ATVs sold in New York to be electric by 2035, modernizes related definitions, creates a new fee schedule for both electric and gas-powered ATVs…”
Senate Bill 2023-S8000
Coverage and deadline
As indicated, the new bill will not affect prior-purchased gasoline-powered ATVs and UTVs.
However, its 2035 deadline will not give automakers and customers enough time to prepare for the changes before the bill takes effect.
Sens. Peter Harckham and Mark Walczyk introduced the new bill, “an act in relation to requiring a study to be conducted on the feasibility of installing electric ATV charging stations along all state-maintained trails where use of ATVs is permitted; and to amend the vehicle and traffic law, in relation to weight limits of ATVs, and fee schedules and use of funds collected from registration of ATVs
Charging infra for off-road EVs
Apart from the sales ban, the bill also seeks to launch a feasibility study on potential charging station deployment along ATV trails in New York.
“…directs a feasibility study on installation of charging stations along NY’s ATV trails.”
Senate Bill 2023-S8000
Recently, American automaker Polaris teamed up with the state of Michigan to build a charging station throughout a trail route for its Ranger EVs. However, it must be noted that the project is only a pilot study, not a full network.
While EVs promote clean energy, deploying a charging station network in the woods might go against the whole idea of nature preservation. In addition, maintaining a bunch of remote stations and dealing with potential damage to cables seems more challenging.
New York officials have yet to pass the proposed bill into law as of writing. However, it is already advancing through New York’s lawmaking body and might become law this year.
