In a 222-190 vote, the House approved the Preserving Choice in Vehicle Purchases Act with 214 Republicans and eight Democrats voting in favor. The legislation favors striking down environmental regulations in California mandating electric vehicle (EV) purchases.
If enacted, the Preserving Choice in Vehicle Purchases Act will block the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) from issuing waivers to states seeking to ban or limit internal combustion engine vehicles. Currently, under the Clean Air Act, the EPA can grant California a waiver to implement stricter emissions standards than the federal government.
In March 2022, the EPA reinstated California’s authority under the Clean Air Act to implement its own emission standards and EV sales mandates, and allowed other states to adopt California’s rules. 17 states have laws in place that tether their vehicle emissions standards to those set in California. Therefore, the electric vehicle mandate would impact tens of millions of Americans nationwide.
The EPA’s actions came after the Trump administration revoked the state’s authority to pursue standards that run counter to federal rules. Fox News reports: “Overall, it is estimated that the states adopting California’s 2035 rule represent more than 40% of total U.S. car purchases.”
Rep. John Joyce (R-PA) leads a group of several Republican lawmakers that first introduced the bill. Their bill has been endorsed by the energy industry which argues EV mandates would hurt the economy and violate consumer choice.
“The simple fact is that electric vehicles cannot meet the demands of my constituents,” Joyce told Fox News Digital. “Coupling the mountains with the harsh winters and the intense heat of summers makes driving an electric vehicle both unreliable and ultimately unrealistic for many of my constituents.”
“This legislation, H.R. 1435, is an option. It is not an anti-electric vehicle legislation,” he added. “For those who would like an electric vehicle, they should have the option of buying one. But it doesn’t help my constituents — it doesn’t help in any district to require an individual to buy an EV regardless of what they want and regardless of the demands of the market.”
The White House hinted that President Biden would veto the legislation if it made it to his desk. “The Administration strongly opposes passage of H.R. 1435, which would amend the Clean Air Act to preclude EPA from issuing federal preemption waivers for California pollution standards that directly or indirectly limit the sale or use of new motor vehicles with internal combustion engines,” the White House said in a statement.