The U.S. House has voted to block California’s 2035 ban on internal combustion engine vehicle sales. Reuters reported the move challenges California’s Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)-granted regulatory exemption, escalating tensions over state-level emissions policy.
In 2020, California Governor Gavin Newsom set a 2035 target for zero-emission vehicle sales. CARB formalized the rule in 2022, banning pure internal combustion engine vehicles while permitting some plug-in hybrids and electronic vehicles (EV) under specific conditions.
California’s EV mandate relies on an EPA waiver, which 11 other states—including New York and Massachusetts—have followed. The House’s recent bill effectively nullifies that waiver, raising legal challenges and intensifying policy debates.
The Government Accountability Office (GAO) had already stated in March that Congress cannot revoke the EPA waiver with a simple majority vote. This suggests that the issue is likely to lead to intense legal battles over its interpretation.
California Governor Newsom condemned the House’s move, accusing polluters and right-wing groups of undermining climate policy. He stressed that strong EV regulations are vital for the U.S. to stay competitive with China in the electric vehicle sector.
The Alliance for Automotive Innovation backed the House’s move, calling current EV targets unrealistic and warning of job losses. The group cautioned that automakers may be forced to cut total sales to comply with strict quotas.
The House also approved measures to roll back EPA plans for expanding zero-emission vehicle access and regulating nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions. Reuters noted these moves are likely to face legal challenges over federal versus state authority.
The EPA plans to review vehicle emission standards post-2027, signaling potential policy shifts as tensions rise among lawmakers, industry leaders, and environmental advocates.
