By Lauren Fix
A group of House Republicans introduced legislation Wednesday that would restrict California’s ability to ban traditional gas-powered cars as part of the state’s electric vehicle push.
The four Republicans, led by Representative John Joyce of Pennsylvania, said the bill — the Preserving Choice in Vehicle Purchases Act — is designed to protect American consumers’ freedom of choice and block stringent purchase requirements that would lead to higher costs. The legislation comes months after California, which leads the country in annual car sales, approved regulations mandating that all car purchases are “zero emissions” by 2035.
“We have seen time and time again that heavy-handed government intervention – like California’s proposal to ban internal combustion engine vehicles – limits consumer choice and infringes upon Americans’ freedoms when choosing what’s best for themselves and their families,” Congressman Bob Latta said in a statement shared with Fox News Digital.
“California’s misguided proposal will have ramifications that go well beyond its own borders and would make it more difficult for Americans to get to work, drop their kids off at school, and travel to visit loved ones,”
Latta, who serves as a senior member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee added that the legislation would help preserve consumers’ freedom to choose vehicles they “want – and can afford – to drive.”
In addition to Latta, Representative Jay Obernolte, R-California; Gus Bilirakis, R-Florida; and John Joyce, R-Pensylvania, also sponsored the legislation. Joyce was listed as the primary sponsor.
Obernolte said in a statement, “In places like my rural California district where many people commute several hours to work every day just to feed their families, electric vehicles are not only unaffordable, but also impractical — especially when residents are asked to unplug their vehicle chargers to accommodate the state’s failure to produce sufficient electricity,”
“We need a market-based approach that will enable continued competition in the marketplace and push electric vehicles to be better and more affordable while enabling people to make their own choices about what type of car to drive. That is the economic system that our nation was built on, and our government should not be permitted to regulate away that freedom.”
Bilirakis stated the California regulations were another example of elitists being detached from the real constraints on the energy grid and the average American consumer.
In August, the California Air Resources Board, a leading state environmental agency, announced the vehicle purchase restrictions. California Governor Gavin Newsom celebrated the regulations, saying the state would continue to lead the revolution towards our zero-emission transportation future.
In addition, another 17 states have laws in place that tether their vehicle emissions standards to those set in California, meaning the electric vehicle mandate would impact Americans nationwide. Under the Clean Air Act, the Environmental Protection Agency is empowered to grant California a waiver to implement stricter emissions standards than the federal government.
Overall, the states adopting California’s 2035 rule represent more than 40% of total U.S. car purchases, according to Latta’s office.
“California’s discriminatory waiver request would set a costly and dangerous precedent,” Joyce said in a statement. “One state should not be able to set national policy and Americans should not be coerced into making purchases they cannot afford.”
I agree – Congress should pass the Preserving Choice in Vehicle Purchases Act to preserve your ability to choose and buy the car you want.
There is so much more to discuss on this, put your comments below and let’s start the conversation.
Lauren Fix, The Car Coach®, is a nationally recognized automotive expert, analyst, author, and television host. A trusted car expert, Lauren provides an insider’s perspective on a wide range of automotive topics and aspects, energy, industry, consumer news, and safety issues.
Lauren is the CEO of Automotive Aspects and the Editor-in-Chief of Car Coach Reports, a global automotive news outlet. She is an automotive contributor to national and local television news shows, including Fox News, Fox Business, CNN International, The Weather Channel, Inside Edition, Local Now News, Community Digital News, and more. Lauren also co-hosts a regular show on ABC.com with Paul Brian called “His Turn – Her Turn” and hosts regular radio segments on USA Radio – DayBreak.
Lauren is honored to be inducted into the Women’s Transportation Hall of Fame and a Board Member of the Buffalo Motorcar Museum and Juror / President for the North American Car, Utility & Truck of the Year Awards.
Check her out on Twitter and Instagram @LaurenFix.
