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    California's gas-car phaseout brings turmoil to mom-and-pop gas stations

    by Daniel Miller, Los Angeles Times Nov 01, 2022 7 minutes
    Gas station owner Charles Khalil at his office in Torrance, California, on Monday, Oct. 3, 2022.

    It was hailed as a landmark decision for the environment: The California Air Resources Board voted in August to require that all new automobiles and light trucks sold in the state be zero emission by 2035.

    The move, aimed at tackling climate change, has been cheered by many. Just not mom-and-pop gas station owners.

    In interviews with The Times, independent gas station owners said the state mandate will expedite the demise of their businesses. And they make up a significant part of the state's fueling infrastructure: A little more than 5,000 such stations are scattered across California, according to National Association of Convenience Stores data.

    "Most of the independents will be put out of business — completely out of business," said Charles Khalil, who owns two gas stations in the L.A. area and is bracing for a shakeout ahead of 2035. "We are all going to suffer through it."

    He and other owners predict many mom-and-pop operators will, in the years ahead, sell their properties to real estate developers or large gas station chains that can afford to upgrade the sites with electric vehicle chargers. Space limitations and the high cost of installing chargers — a high-capacity version can cost $150,000, including

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