President Donald Trump is expected to sign three congressional resolutions on Thursday that would effectively block California’s plans to mandate electric vehicle sales and implement stricter diesel engine regulations. The move is seen as a significant victory for the auto industry and a blow to environmental groups.
The resolutions, which Trump will sign under the Congressional Review Act, target California’s landmark plan to end the sale of gasoline-only vehicles by 2035. This plan has been adopted by 11 other states, representing about a third of the U.S. auto market. The White House has invited numerous auto industry officials to attend the signing ceremony.
One of the resolutions aims to repeal a waiver granted by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) under former President Joe Biden, allowing California to mandate that at least 80% of vehicles be electric by 2035. Another resolution seeks to rescind the EPA’s 2023 approval of California’s plans to require a rising number of zero-emission heavy-duty trucks. The third resolution targets California’s low-NOx regulation for heavy-duty highway and off-road vehicles and engines.
The auto industry has heavily lobbied against these regulations, with companies like General Motors and Toyota supporting the repeal. The American Petroleum Institute praised the move, stating that it would be a “major victory for American consumers, manufacturers and U.S. energy security.”
However, California Governor Gavin Newsom has vowed to challenge the repeals in court, calling the congressional action “illegal” and warning that it could cost California taxpayers an estimated $45 billion in additional healthcare costs. Environmental groups also oppose the move, arguing that the regulations are crucial for ensuring cleaner vehicles and reducing pollution.
This development is the latest in a series of actions taken against electric vehicles in recent months. A separate bill passed by the U.S. House of Representatives in May would end a $7,500 tax credit for new EVs, impose a new $250 annual fee on EVs for road repair costs, and repeal vehicle emissions rules designed to encourage automakers to build more EVs.
