Senate Halts California’s 2035 EV Sales Ban, Trump Expected to Sign
The United States Senate voted Thursday to nullify California’s groundbreaking regulation banning the sale of new gasoline-only vehicles by 2035, a rule adopted by 11 other states covering a third of the national auto market.
The legislation now heads to President Donald Trump, who is expected to sign the measure, overturning an EPA waiver granted under Joe Biden that had allowed California to enforce stricter clean vehicle standards.
Automakers Welcome the Repeal
Automotive giants including General Motors, Toyota, and Volkswagen, who lobbied aggressively against the EV mandate, hailed the Senate vote. They had warned that the California rule would force them to pull gas-powered models from showrooms in multiple states.
“These mandates were never feasible,” said John Bozzella, CEO of the Alliance for Automotive Innovation. “They would force automakers to divert capital from EV development just to meet compliance metrics.”
California Vows Legal Battle
California Governor Gavin Newsom condemned the Senate decision as “illegal and unconstitutional,” asserting it could cost Californians an estimated $45 billion in healthcare expenses due to increased pollution.
“We’ll fight this in court,” Newsom said, emphasizing the state’s longstanding right under the Clean Air Act, which has allowed California to adopt over 100 custom air quality waivers since 1970.
Senate Rejects Expert Advice
Despite guidance from the Government Accountability Office that such waivers cannot be revoked under the Congressional Review Act, Senate Republicans moved forward with the vote. The ruling could dramatically scale back future zero-emission vehicle requirements unless challenged in federal courts.
Broader Rollbacks Target EV Sector
This measure is part of a wider legislative push to slow down electric vehicle adoption:
- Another House bill passed Thursday would:
- Repeal the $7,500 federal EV tax credit.
- Introduce a $250 annual EV fee for road repairs.
- End EV battery production subsidies by 2028.
- The Senate also voted to block California’s stricter emission rules for heavy-duty trucks and off-road engines, further dialing back clean air policies.
Environmental Groups React
Clean energy advocates criticized the move, warning it sends the wrong message as climate urgency rises.
“You can’t reverse global momentum,” said Earthjustice President Abigail Dillen. “The Senate is clinging to the past while the world moves forward.”
Meanwhile, Tesla, often at the center of EV policy debates, has not commented on the Senate vote.
Automakers’ Dilemma
The blocked mandate required 35% of light-duty vehicles to be zero-emission by 2026, a target automakers say is unrealistic given EV adoption rates, which remain below 10% in several participating states like Vermont and Maryland, both of which have delayed implementation.
What’s Next?
If upheld in court, the Senate action could give automakers more flexibility to continue producing internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles, potentially delaying the clean energy transition in the U.S. transportation sector.
Conclusion:
The Senate’s move to block California’s EV mandate signals a significant shift in federal-state relations on climate policy and could reshape the future of vehicle electrification in the U.S. With litigation looming, the next chapter in this regulatory battle is likely to unfold in the courts.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VtHvzIZQszQ
