(DailyVantage.com) – The Biden administration has granted California the authority to implement a ban on new gasoline-powered car sales by 2035, marking a significant step toward the state’s ambitious zero-emission goals. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced Wednesday that it approved two waivers under the Clean Air Act, enabling California to enforce stringent emissions standards and mandate a transition to electric vehicles (EVs). This move, one of President Biden’s final major actions on climate policy, is expected to shape the future of the automotive industry.
The first waiver allows California to require that 35% of new car and light-duty truck sales be zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs) by 2026, with emissions reduced by 90% from current levels by 2027. The second waiver permits the state to enforce its groundbreaking regulation requiring all new car sales to be zero-emission by 2035, making it the strictest mandate in the nation.
EPA Administrator Michael Regan praised the decision, stating that the waivers will “protect [California] residents from dangerous air pollution coming from mobile sources like cars and trucks.” California’s rules aim to address climate change while tackling harmful emissions that disproportionately impact low-income and minority communities.
However, the move has sparked sharp criticism from industry leaders and political opponents. Chet Thompson, CEO and president of the American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers, called the policy “unlawful” and warned of its economic consequences. “By greenlighting California’s ban on gas-powered vehicles, the Biden administration is forcing millions of Americans to comply with policies that will increase transportation costs and limit consumer choice,” Thompson said. Critics argue that the waivers effectively impose California’s standards on other states, as automakers may struggle to manufacture gas vehicles for limited markets.
President-elect Donald Trump has signaled his intent to reverse the Biden administration’s EV policies, including California’s waivers, upon taking office. Incoming White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt characterized the waivers as “job-killing” and detrimental to the U.S. auto industry. “Biden’s decision is a step toward destroying the remnants of the U.S. auto industry under the guise of climate action,” Leavitt told Fox News Digital.
The policy marks a pivotal moment in the national debate over climate change, energy independence, and the role of federal authority in shaping state-level initiatives. As California moves forward with its aggressive EV mandates, the future of these waivers—and their broader implications—remains uncertain under the Trump administration.
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