President Trump is preparing to sign a resolution this Thursday that reverses California’s landmark rule banning the sale of new gas-powered cars by 2035. The move comes after Congress approved the measure last month, targeting not only the phase-out of petrol cars, but also stricter emissions limits on heavy-duty and diesel vehicles, as well as nitrogen oxide pollution controls.
Nationwide Impact
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States affected: The resolution blocks California’s authority to require 80% of new vehicles be electric by 2035—a standard also adopted by 11 other states.
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Support and backlash: Automakers like GM, Toyota, and VW, along with industry groups, support the repeal, citing the need for a unified national standard. California’s Governor Gavin Newsom and Attorney General Rob Bonta have called it illegal and pledged immediate legal action, warning it could cost the state up to $45 billion in health expenses.
What’s at Stake
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Congressional Review Act (CRA): This marks the first time the CRA has been used to override California’s Clean Air Act waivers—a move widely criticized as an “end-run” around federal environmental protections.
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State vs. federal authority: For decades, California has set more ambitious standards than federal ones, drawing from its severe air quality challenges. Critics argue the resolution undermines both state innovation and public health.
Trump’s Agenda
This action fits within Trump’s broader push to revive U.S. auto manufacturing and boost oil and gas production—signaled recently by the EPA’s proposal to roll back power plant emissions rules. The White House ceremony will feature Trump, EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, and industry representatives from the oil, trucking, and automotive sectors.
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