Petaluma Bans Gas Stations

As the future of driving moves increasingly toward electric vehicles, signs abound that gas-powered cars are not long for this world. 

Some of the largest auto manufacturers have already signaled that they will stop selling cars that run on gas within a little more than a decade. At least two states have pledged to ban the sale of those cars as part of an effort to curb global emissions.

Now, one California city is getting in on the no-gas game. 

Petaluma recently banned the construction of new gas stations within city lines, according to KTVU FOX 2. The 14.5-square mile city that is home to some 60,000 residents in Sonoma County is also banning the construction of new pumps at existing stations.

The city’s decision is the first of its kind, according to the L.A. Times. The move comes two years after the city declared a climate emergency.

“The actual motivation for this was — and is — our climate emergency resolution and the fact that we’re really trying to shift the needle in our town,” Petaluma Mayor Teresa Barrett said.

The city's plan to reduce fossil fuel dependency is designed to make it easier for existing gas stations to add electric vehicle chargers. Petaluma also plans to increase the infrastructure of other alternative energy sources, like hydrogen, MotorTrend reports.

California Governor Gavin Newsom announced last year that the state intends to prohibit the sale of new gas powered cars, trucks and SUVs by 2035. Massachusetts recently followed suit.

The Other Danger Posed By Cars

While some states and at least one local government look to attack the climate impact of driving, cars also pose another hazard: Many are defective and malfunctioning.

The world’s largest carmakers recall millions of vehicles per year, citing a wide range of problems that increase the risk of an accident. These issues are often not identified until long after the cars have been sold and have already hit the road. The recalls regularly do not happen until car owners notice a problem and start complaining.

Fortunately, California car owners have some important rights and protections under the state’s lemon law. An experienced California lemon law attorney at Bickel Sannipoli APC can help you understand those rights and weigh your options for taking action.

The lemon law generally requires a carmaker to perform repairs on vehicles while they are under warranty and to buy back or replace cars the company cannot or will not fix. It also obligates the company to pay any legal fees that the car’s owner or lessor incurs while enforcing his or her rights under the law.

A California lemon law attorney at our firm will work tirelessly to ensure that the manufacturer is made fully accountable. We have successfully represented hundreds of clients in lemon law cases across the state.

Our offices are conveniently located in Los Angeles, San Diego and San Francisco.  Call us at (888) 800-1983 or contact us online to speak with a California lemon law attorney today.