{"text":[[{"start":13.22,"text":"California last week set an ambitious target: all new cars sold by 2035 must generate no greenhouse gas emissions. "},{"start":20.799,"text":"The UK has already adopted this worthy goal. "},{"start":23.767000000000003,"text":"The EU is seeking to follow suit. "},{"start":26.122,"text":"But America’s love affair with gas-guzzling vehicles runs deep. "},{"start":29.964,"text":"The move from the Golden State is punchy by US standards. "}],[{"start":34.37,"text":"Electric vehicles made up 15.1 per cent of new car sales in the state in the first half of this year, according to the California New Car Dealers Association. "},{"start":43.549,"text":"Add plug-in hybrids and the total is close to 18 per cent. "},{"start":47.167,"text":"To get on track with the new target, sales must reach 35 per cent in the next two years. "}],[{"start":53.22,"text":"This is not the first time California has set stretching emissions hurdles. "},{"start":57.623999999999995,"text":"Not all have been met. "},{"start":59.204,"text":"In the mid-90s, the state walked back a requirement that 2 per cent of cars sold were EVs — then set even tougher goals. "}],[{"start":67.05,"text":"California has the highest proportion of EV sales in the US, with more than a third of the market. "},{"start":72.567,"text":"The California Energy Commission estimates the state also has the most extensive public charging infrastructure. "}],[{"start":78.92,"text":"Rising petrol prices and tax credits could spur consumers thinking of making the switch. "},{"start":83.987,"text":"Tesla’s Model Y is the state’s most popular EV, suggesting the company stands to benefit most. "},{"start":89.479,"text":"Traditional carmakers hope to steal market share. "},{"start":92.547,"text":"Ford is a smaller EV maker but a more familiar brand for consumers. "}],[{"start":97.57,"text":"Price and availability are obstacles. "},{"start":100.28699999999999,"text":"EVs are more expensive than the average car. "},{"start":103.16699999999999,"text":"Experts had predicted that gap would narrow. "},{"start":105.734,"text":"Instead, it may grow. "},{"start":107.839,"text":"Prices for lithium used in batteries are down from their March high point, but remain four times higher than last year. "}],[{"start":114.94999999999999,"text":"As material prices rise, costs are passed on to consumers. "},{"start":119.15399999999998,"text":"Tesla increased its own prices 5 per cent in March. "},{"start":122.734,"text":"Ford has lifted prices for its Mustang Mach-E range by up to $8,000, blaming “market conditions”. "}],[{"start":129.91,"text":"US companies are competing for materials with Chinese carmakers, which are scaling up their own production. "},{"start":135.789,"text":"BYD, China’s biggest electric vehicle maker, reported that sales tripled year on year in July. "},{"start":141.90699999999998,"text":"But Ford has already signed deals with a number of mining groups. "}],[{"start":146.41,"text":"Only companies able to sustain and increase production will benefit from California’s phase-out plan. "}],[{"start":152.23,"text":"The Lex team is interested in hearing more from readers. "},{"start":155.534,"text":"Is California’s plan to phase out combustion engine vehicles realistic? "},{"start":159.76399999999998,"text":"Please tell us what you think in the comments section below "}],[{"start":162.60999999999999,"text":""}]],"url":"https://creatives.ftacademy.cn/album/81598-1661819966.mp3"}