Biden Administration Greenlights California’s Gas-Powered Car Ban, EV Mandate
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President-elect Donald Trump has criticized California’s automotive regulations and the state’s plan to shift to electric vehicles.
“California has imposed the most ridiculous car regulations anywhere in the world, with mandates to move to all electric cars,” Trump said last year in a speech to Golden State Republicans.
He campaigned against the Biden administration’s electric vehicle mandate this cycle on his way to winning Michigan, a swing state with an economy heavily dependent on the auto industry. Multiple Michigan polls showed disdain for the electric vehicle mandate, prompting Democrats to distance themselves from the Biden administration’s EV agenda.
The Biden White House has sought to expand the electric vehicle industry with subsidies, investments, and regulations geared towards incentivizing EV purchases and substantial investments from automakers. Nonetheless, consumer demand for the novel cars has stalled and automakers have struggled to turn a profit on massive investments in expanding their EV fleets.
“This is yet another example of the EPA and California imposing costly, unworkable mandates that will hurt working families and small businesses nationwide,” American Energy Institute CEO Jason Isaac told N R.
“By granting these waivers, the EPA is enabling California to dictate vehicle standards for the entire country, driving up costs for consumers while prioritizing an extreme agenda over economic reality. Americans deserve policies that reflect their needs—not those of unelected bureaucrats and activists.”
Trump’s EPA administrator pick, former Representative Lee Zeldin (R., N.Y.), has promised to cut red tape on day one and to unleash American energy. The previous Trump administration fought with California over the progressive state’s attempt to combat its deregulatory efforts, a contest that will likely enter its second round once Trump takes office next month.
“Although much litigation will ensue, California will never be able to ban the sale of gas-powered cars and automakers will never survive only making EVs. Americans want choice in automobiles. It’s one reason that President Trump was re-elected. This waiver from the Biden administration is just a desperate and futile last blast from a sinking ship,” said Steve Milloy, a former Trump EPA transition team member.
