US Senate Blocks California’s Electric Car Mandate
The U.S. Senate has voted to block California’s pioneering mandate to phase out gas-powered cars, marking a significant setback for the state’s ambitious plans to transition to electric vehicles. This decision revokes a waiver granted by the Biden administration to California, potentially undermining the state’s decades-long efforts to clean up its notorious air pollution and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
The Senate’s move follows a vote in the House last month and sets the stage for a high-stakes legal and political battle between California and the Trump administration. Republicans and some Democrats who voted in favor of blocking the mandate argue that it is costly, impractical, and infringes on consumer choice. In contrast, Democrats who opposed the move, including California Senators Alex Padilla and Adam Schiff, contend that the tactic used by Senate Republicans is illegal and that the state’s mandate is crucial for cleaning up polluted air.
California Governor Gavin Newsom has strongly denounced Congress’ action, vowing that “zero-emission vehicles are here to stay.” The mandate requires 35% of new 2026 model cars sold in California to be zero-emissions, ramping up to 68% in 2030 and 100% in 2035. This builds on decades of tightening emissions standards for cars sold in the state.
The decision may force California to rely on voluntary efforts to clean up cars and trucks, potentially through financial incentives or rebates for manufacturers and consumers. However, the state faces a $12 billion deficit, complicating these efforts.
For nearly 60 years, California’s vehicle emissions standards have been central to cleaning up the air, particularly in smog-choked areas like the Los Angeles basin and San Joaquin Valley. Vehicles remain the largest source of smog-forming gases and fine soot particles, which can cause serious health problems.
The Senate’s action has sparked concerns about the potential consequences for public health and the environment. Eleven other states and Washington, D.C. have adopted versions of California’s electric car mandate. “This is a major blow to decades-long public health protections under the Clean Air Act,” said Will Barrett of the American Lung Association.
The vote has also drawn criticism from environmental advocates, who argue that it sets a dangerous precedent for overturning state laws protecting public health. The Biden administration’s EPA had granted waivers for California’s electric car mandate and other regulations late last year.
Experts predict that California may sue, claiming improper use of the Congressional Review Act. The law is intended to allow a new administration to revoke recently enacted rules, but it may not apply to the waivers in question.
The stakes are high, with California facing potential economic penalties, including the loss of highway funding, if it fails to meet federal health standards for smog and soot. The state’s ability to meet its climate targets, including achieving carbon-neutrality by 2045, is also at risk.
