A bill that requires passenger cars and trucks sold in New York be zero emission by 2035 has been signed into law by Gov. Kathy Hochul, state lawmakers on Wednesday announced. 

The new law also covers zero emission requirements for medium-duty and heavy-duty trucks by 2045. 

Lawmakers who sponsored the measure in the state Legislature called the provision a way of combatting climate change in the state. 

“The best way to ramp up our fight against the climate crisis is to transition to new vehicles that are entirely free of carbon and other toxic emissions, and so I am thankful to Governor Hochul for signing the zero emissions legislation,” said Sen. Peter Harckham, who sponsored the bill with Assemblyman Steven Englebright.

The measure's final approval was also cheered by environmental advocates in the state. The approval of the law dovetailed with Hochul moving forward on a clean trucks rule for the state. 

"We need to significantly reduce transportation emissions if we hope to reach our ambitious climate goals, and this is a good step in the right direction," said Julie Tighe, the president of the New York League of Conservation Voters. "Both initiatives will help to slash emissions, improve air quality and public health, and expand the electric car and truck market in New York."