The Trump campaign has criticized President Biden’s climate agenda, specifically taking aim at his administration’s electric vehicle policies, which include California’s proposed EV mandate regulations that would phase out all gas-powered car sales in the coming years. The campaign blasted Biden’s actions, referring to them as “insane” and “job-killing,” particularly the approval of California’s request to outlaw the sale of gasoline-powered automobiles. The Trump administration has pledged to stand for car affordability and maximum choice for American consumers, promising to revoke federal EV requirements and waivers issued for California if elected.
In March 2022, the EPA reinstated California’s authority under the Clean Air Act to implement its own emission standards and EV sales mandates, allowing other states to adopt California’s rules. This decision came after the Trump administration had previously revoked the state’s authority to pursue standards that contradicted federal rules. CARB announced its Advanced Clean Cars II plan in August 2022, aiming to transition California towards a zero-emission transportation future. The plan requires that by 2035, 100% of new car sales must be zero-emission vehicles, with a gradual increase in zero-emission sales before that year. More than a dozen other states have pledged to adopt California’s plan.
The Alliance for Automotive Innovation, an industry group representing major automakers, acknowledged the U.S. auto industry’s transition to electric vehicles, citing substantial investments in technology and ongoing product announcements. However, the group emphasized the importance of evaluating whether California’s ZEV regulations would also be suitable for other states. According to their data, 24% of car sales last year were battery electric, with an additional 4% being hybrid. Despite this growth, state EV sales saw a decline in the last half of 2023, marking the first drop in over a decade.
California Governor Gavin Newsom defended the state’s climate agenda and criticized former President Trump’s comments on EVs, highlighting California’s preparedness to defend its environmental efforts. Newsom expressed concern over the politicization of climate policies and his administration’s efforts to “future-proof” state climate policies ahead of the November presidential election. He accused the Trump administration of promoting policies that rolled back environmental progress over the past half-century, specifically targeting efforts related to regulating tailpipe emissions. Newsom’s office and the White House did not respond to requests for comment on the matter.
The Trump campaign vowed to prioritize car affordability and consumer choice if elected, criticizing President Biden and California’s proposed EV mandate regulations. The campaign referred to these policies as extremist and job-killing, opposing the ban on gasoline cars proposed by California. The conflict between Trump and Biden on EV policy continues, with the Trump administration pledging to revoke federal EV requirements and waivers issued by the Biden administration. The EPA’s decision to reinstate California’s authority to implement emission standards and EV mandates has also sparked opposition from automakers, car dealers, lawmakers, and the energy industry. The Alliance for Automotive Innovation has recognized the industry’s shift towards electric vehicles but stressed the importance of assessing the suitability of California’s ZEV regulations for all states.
