As promised, President Donald Trump issued an executive order on the first day of his second term, unleashing U.S. energy, declaring that U.S. policy is “to eliminate ‘Electric Vehicle (EV) authorization’ and promote real consumer choice.” [emphasis, links added]
But shortly after Trump gave his waiver cancellation request to Congress for review, The Government Accountability Office (GAO) announced that Congress has no authority to review Biden's exemption or revocation.
As a result, the GAO has created a dilemma for the Trump administration and millions of Americans who believe the authorization is unreasonable.
Although the Energy Policy and Protection Act, which enacted the Enterprise Average Fuel Economy (CAFé) standard in 1975, clearly seized the state's fuel economy standards, Congress gave California the power to set its own vehicle emission standards in the 1967 Clean Air Act, a warning: California Standards need to abandon the Environmental Protection Agency.
However, according to the Clean Air Act, The EPA can only legally reject California’s waivers if it is “arbitrary or capricious” and therefore unnecessary or technically unfeasible.
Historically, there has never been a California exemption removed, and Kabu claims there is no process for refusing the exemption in the Clean Air Act.
Additionally, when President Trump tried to terminate his power to formulate his own emissions and mileage rules in 2019, California and 22 other states sued.
In his last formal act, President Joe Biden approved a new exemption from California last December that authorized its mission to require 35% of new models and light trucks sold in California to be zero-emission vehicles.
By 2030, these figures jump to 60% and by 2035 100%. When Biden approved earlier California emissions rules, automakers and 14 state exemptions in 2022.
The battle with zero emission vehicle authorization is not limited to California, because other states can comply with California regulations once the state gets exemptions from the EPA.
To date, 18 states have followed at least part of the New California mission, and Golden State has put pressure on automakers to follow and defend their unpopular regulations.
There are only two problems with the increasingly unpopular EV mission. First, it seems that the only way California reaches its 2026 milestone is to modify it downward.
California New Car Dealers Association reports Market share of zero-emission vehicles fell to 21.3% in the fourth quarter of 2024, down from 23.7% in the previous quarter, and an average annual average of 22%. (less than 21.7% in 2023).
Second, national polls show 75% of Americans oppose any type of gasoline and diesel-powered vehicle ban.
Public support in California peaked at 55% (39% objection) in 2022, but has been declining due to a 20% increase in power rates, which has resulted in higher cost of charging electric vehicle batteries. Electric vehicle sales in California fell from 447,000 in 2023 to 387,000 in 2024.
But as long as the authorized standpoint it punishes automakers and car buyers because they do not succumb to Governor Newsom's whimsicality.
Automakers face a $20,000 fine per unqualified vehicle, the only alternative to purchase emission credits for EVs only or limit their inventory of gasoline and diesel vehicles.
This would force Californians to buy electric cars, or just fix older vehicles for longer periods of time—a huge limit on their options.
Similar fines and restrictions on consumer choice are also imminent in many other cities and states. One can only imagine anger and frustration. (At the same time, the formerly popular Teslas are now bragging about by radical supporters of EV licenses.)
Kenny Stein of the Energy Institute said The huge size of the California market (and countries that meet California standards) This means that automakers must make their entire California-compliant fleet compatible or sell different auto lines in different states, which is nearly impossible.
This forces citizens of other states to buy more expensive vehicles, thus Subsidize California's regulatory options against their will.
But Stein added that the end of the mission requires modification or rejection of three major regulatory actions: EPA's tailpipe emission standards, cafe standards and California's premium clean car II regulations, bidding for the EPA approved the exemption (GAO says GAO says Congress can't go beyond).
Unlike President Obama, President Trump cannot eliminate this unwelcome task “with pen and phone.”
The Europeans who started Zev Crusade were also unable to reach their mission milestones. The EU, like California, has banned non-EV sales as of 2035 (the possible exception of hydrogen-powered vehicles).
The result is that European automakers are afraid that cheap Chinese electric cars will destroy them.
Like California, 23 of the 27 EU countries, including Germany, Italy and France, missed their national climate goals in an effort to share regulations.
This means that they could face serious fines if they are unwilling or unable to buy increasingly expensive carbon credits. Like the Governor’s News Magazine, Europeans did not let facts or costs interfere with their enthusiasm to reach zero in the first place.
Apart from publicly opposing authorization, California and the state face a very real threat that zombie compliance with EV authorization will crash the grid – making EVs unreachable.
Coupled with longer repair times, the high cost of replacing batteries, growing fears of electric vehicle fires, and many other concerns.
Only time will tell whether Pro-EV laws will prevent the tempting march of California and most parts of the country from continuing to the cliff. 25% force 75% to jump with them, while 75% want to be free to make their own choices.
Meanwhile, the Gavinator’s desire to move to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue in 2029 has hit a bump in the road as he is learning any step towards the center will release the strong anger of the base of democracy.
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