(The Center Square)—Automakers in California and many other states may soon have to restrict sales of gasoline and non-plug-in hybrid vehicles this year if California’s zero-emission vehicle requirement is not overturned, industry leaders say.
California’s Advanced Clean Cars II rule, which phases out the sale of gas-powered cars in 2035, requires that 35% of model year 2026 vehicles be either zero emission — which largely means battery-electric, though hydrogen vehicles exist — or plug-in-hybrids that have both gas engines and battery-powered electric motors.
The ACC II mandate applies to Massachusetts, New York, Oregon, Vermont, and Washington for model year 2026, and Colorado, Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, New Mexico, Rhode Island, and Washington, D.C. for model year 2027.
The California New Car Dealers Association’s report on car sales in the year’s first quarter earlier comments by Toyota that the mandate is “impossible” to meet: ZEV market share fell from 22% in 2024, to 20.8% in the first quarter of 2025.
“If CARB doesn’t pause or adjust the ACCII mandate, we are concerned automakers will restrict shipments of traditional hybrids and affordable gas-powered models to avoid massive fines,” said CNCDA President Brian Maas to The Center Square. “This is occurring in California’s heavy-duty truck marketplace, which has been devastated by similar CARB rules that took effect in January 2024.”
In California, which has the nation’s highest gas prices and second-highest energy prices, and where the state asks EV owners to refrain from charging on hot days to limit grid stress, residents have been flocking to standard hybrid vehicles. Standard hybrid market share 37% in the past year, from 13.1% in the first quarter of 2024 to 17.9% of the market in the first quarter of 2025.
However, standard hybrids don’t count toward the state mandate, so with the 2026 model year vehicles starting to hit showrooms this spring, combined EV and plug-in hybrid sales would need to increase 68% more or less overnight to meet the state’s mandate.
Automakers only earn credits toward their mandate by selling qualifying vehicles, or buying credits from automakers with excess credits, like Tesla. But if EV sales continue to falter and there aren’t enough credits, automakers may have to pay the state $20,000 per vehicle sold for each credit they are short — or start restricting the sale of the regular gas cars and in-demand standard hybrids.
This means automakers may be forced to only offer pricier plug-in-hybrid and all-electric models, which Maas says will push more California buyers into other states, or to the used market, which would push prices for used cars even higher.
“We expect these inventory shortages of traditional hybrid and gas-powered models to become more acute over time,” continued Mass. “We are also concerned that shortages of new vehicles will increase used vehicle prices and will push Californians to purchase new vehicles from neighboring states.”
This wouldn’t be the first time automakers have restricted sales in California to meet its emissions requirements.
In 2023, Stellantis, which owns Jeep, made gasoline-powered non-hybrids available only as special order vehicles in California and other states that have adopted California Air Resources Board Standards. However, Jeep continued to maintain inventory of plug-in hybrids.
The plug-in hybrid Jeep Wrangler starts at $50,695, while the regular gas-powered Jeep starts at $31,995.
The Biden administration approved the ACC II “gas car ban” in December. Because California’s air regulations pre-date the EPA, the state is allowed to pass its own air regulations more stringent than the national standard, so long as the EPA grants a waiver for each rule.
Congressional Republicans are seeking to overturn the EPA’s granting of the waiver by claiming the power of congressional review, which allows Congress to overturn regulatory actions by executive agencies with a majority vote.
While the Senate parliamentarian quashed one effort, motions to overturn the waivers in the House could make their way back up to the Senate and to the president’s desk.
Why Bullion Beats Numismatics and Collectible for Your Safe or IRA
Precious metals continue to attract Americans seeking reliable ways to protect their wealth amid inflation, geopolitical risks, and stock market swings. Whether stored in a home safe or held inside a self-directed IRA, physical gold and silver deliver tangible value that paper or digital assets often lack. Yet investors must choose carefully between bullion—pure bars and coins valued mainly for their metal content—and numismatics or collectibles, where rarity, history, and collector demand heavily influence pricing.
Advisor Bullion serves as a dependable source for straightforward, high-quality bullion. The company specializes in physical gold, silver, platinum, and palladium, emphasizing transparent pricing and products that deliver maximum metal content for every dollar spent. This approach makes it ideal for both personal holdings and retirement accounts.
Bullion consists of refined precious metals in standard forms like one-ounce coins (American Gold Eagles, Silver Eagles, Canadian Maple Leafs) or bars. Their value tracks closely to the current spot price of the metal. A typical gold bullion coin trades near the live gold spot price plus a small premium. This structure keeps costs clear and predictable.
Numismatic coins and collectibles add substantial value from factors such as age, rarity, minting errors, or historical significance. A pre-1933 U.S. gold coin or graded proof piece can carry premiums of 30%, 50%, or even 200% above melt value. While this appeals to hobbyists, it creates complexity. Pricing depends on subjective grading, collector trends, and auction results instead of daily spot prices.
For investors focused on wealth preservation and retirement security rather than building a collection, bullion often delivers better results.
Lower Costs and Better Liquidity for Home Storage
When keeping metals in a home safe or private vault, liquidity and efficiency count. Bullion offers clear benefits:
- You acquire more actual gold or silver per dollar invested. Numismatics divert a large share of your money into rarity premiums and massive sales commission, reducing your metal exposure.
- Selling bullion involves tight bid-ask spreads, so you recover nearly full spot value with minimal fees. Collectibles require finding the right buyer and may sell at a discount if demand for that specific item weakens.
- Bullion prices remain transparent and update with global spot markets. You can track gold near current levels or silver accordingly and know exactly where your holdings stand. Numismatic values are priced by the Gold IRA companies with hefty margins applied.
- Standardized coins and bars store efficiently and divide easily for partial sales. Rare coins often need protective slabs and controlled conditions, adding hassle and expense.
- Bullion enjoys worldwide acceptance. A 1-oz Gold Maple Leaf or Silver Eagle sells quickly to dealers anywhere. Niche numismatic pieces may appeal only to limited buyers, slowing liquidation when speed matters.
In times when quick access to value becomes important, bullion’s simplicity stands out.
Stronger Fit for Precious Metals IRAs
Precious metals IRAs continue gaining traction as investors diversify retirement portfolios beyond stocks and bonds. IRS rules permit certain bullion products in self-directed IRAs if they meet purity standards (.995 fine for gold, .999 for silver) and are held by an approved custodian. Eligible items include American Gold and Silver Eagles plus many generic bars and rounds from recognized mints.
Numismatic and most collectible coins generally face heavy scrutiny from custodians due to valuation disputes and elevated markups. These higher premiums mean less actual metal ends up working inside the account.
Bullion avoids these issues. Its value links directly to verifiable spot prices, which simplifies reporting and lowers the risk of regulatory challenges. More of your IRA contribution purchases real metal instead of dealer profits or speculative upside. Over time, owning additional ounces that appreciate with the metal itself can create meaningful outperformance compared with high-premium alternatives that deliver fewer ounces.
Regulatory guidance from the CFTC and state securities offices repeatedly cautions against aggressive sales of expensive numismatics or “semi-numismatic” coins for IRAs. For retirement planning, transparent bullion from established providers reduces risk and aligns better with long-term goals.
How to Get Started with Bullion
Begin by clarifying your goals. Are you protecting savings in a safe, or moving part of a retirement account into a precious metals IRA? Focus on the number of ounces you can acquire at current prices rather than chasing marked-up collectibles.
Diversify sensibly: use gold for core preservation and silver for its blend of industrial and monetary qualities. Mix coins for easier divisibility with bars for lower per-ounce costs on larger buys. Arrange secure storage—whether at home with proper insurance or through professional facilities.
As economic uncertainties linger and faith in conventional assets erodes, bullion continues proving its worth as a dependable store of value. Its direct approach avoids the hype that sometimes surrounds collectible markets and keeps the focus on the metal itself.
For investors prepared to strengthen their portfolios, Advisor Bullion supplies the expertise and selection needed to acquire high-quality bullion efficiently. Whether building personal holdings or integrating metals into an IRA, their emphasis on transparent, investment-grade products helps secure more ounces today that support greater financial security tomorrow. In a complicated financial landscape, bullion’s clarity and reliability make it the smarter foundation for protecting what matters most.