Senate Strikes Down Calif. EV Mandate in Bipartisan 51-44 Vote
The U.S. Senate approved a measure that revokes a federal Environmental Protection Agency waiver that would have allowed a group of states, led by California, to ban the sale of light duty gas vehicles and gas/electric hybrids.
All 50 Republicans present voted in favor, joined by Elissa Slotkin, one of Michigan’s two Democratic senators; the other, Gary Peters, was among the 44 votes against.
“Today, I voted to prevent California and the states that follow its standard from effectively banning gas-powered cars by 2035,” Slotkin writes in a release. “Michigan is the auto capital of the world, and as Michigan’s U.S. Senator, I have a special responsibility to stand up for the more than 1 million Michiganders whose livelihoods depend on the U.S. auto industry.”
The passage of J.J. Res. 88 was spearheaded by Sens. Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.V.), Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) and John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) and championed by the National Automobile Dealers Association, among other groups.
In its own statement, NADA’s directors said a ban was “unrealistic” and ran counter to dealers’ and car buyers’ best interests.
“NADA applauds the Senate for its passage of legislation which stops California regulators from banning gas and hybrid vehicles in 12 states. This unrealistic mandate, coupled with an insufficient and unreliable charging infrastructure, would have drastically reduced consumer choice and raised prices for new and used cars and trucks for all Americans.”
