Trump Moves to Undo California's Electric Vehicle Goals
On Thursday, President Donald Trump took a decisive step to roll back California’s aggressive electric vehicle (EV) policies by signing three resolutions aimed at halting the state's plans to phase out gasoline-powered vehicles by 2035. These measures seek to dismantle California’s mandate that 100% of new car sales in the state be electric by that year—a policy previously endorsed by the Biden administration.
Reversing Landmark State-Level EV Mandates
California’s ambitious plan, which had been adopted by ten other states, aims to accelerate electric and zero-emission vehicle adoption while banning new gasoline-powered cars and diesel engines by 2035. However, Trump condemned this initiative as harmful to the American auto industry.
“It's been a disaster for this country,” Trump declared during a White House event. “We officially rescue the U.S. auto industry from destruction by terminating California's electric vehicle mandate,” he added emphatically, underscoring that the policy will not return under his watch.
Industry and Political Pushback
Notably, major auto manufacturers General Motors and Toyota had previously lobbied against California’s stringent EV and engine regulations, voicing concerns over the mandates’ impacts on production and consumer choice.
Under the previous administration, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency granted California a waiver allowing the state’s EV sales mandate, essentially empowering it to set stricter emissions standards than the federal government. Trump criticized this delegation of authority, characterizing it as an overreach by what he termed “left-wing radicals” in California.
“Because they have to build a car, they can't build 19 different cars called the same thing,” he remarked, emphasizing the supposed manufacturing challenges posed by varying state-level regulations.
California Leadership Pushes Back
California Governor Gavin Newsom openly rebuked the new federal measures, calling the rollback a victory for big polluters and right-wing propaganda. In May, prior to the resolutions' signing, Newsom said, “Big polluters and the right-wing propaganda machine have succeeded in buying off the Republican Party.”
What’s Next?
The conflict over California’s EV standards highlights broader national tensions surrounding climate policy, industry regulation, and state versus federal authority. While 11 states had embraced California’s cleaner vehicle goals, these resolutions mark a significant pushback that could reshape the future of automotive emissions regulations and the transition to electric vehicles across the United States.
