President Trump is set to revoke California’s electric vehicle mandates, ending the state’s decades-long authority to set stricter emissions standards than federal requirements.
At a Glance
- Trump will sign three congressional resolutions Thursday to eliminate California’s electric vehicle regulations
- The action will block California’s mandate requiring 80% of new vehicles to be electric by 2035
- The decision affects 11 other states that adopted California’s rules, representing one-third of the U.S. auto market
- California Attorney General Rob Bonta plans to sue once Trump signs the resolutions
- Major automakers including GM, Toyota, and Volkswagen supported the move to end the state-specific regulations
Trump’s Decision Ends California’s Regulatory Authority
President Trump is scheduled to sign three congressional resolutions at 11 a.m. Thursday that will revoke California’s authority to set its own vehicle emissions standards. This move finalizes the administration’s effort to block the state’s stricter electrification rules for vehicles, which had been in place since the Clean Air Act of 1970 granted California special authority to address its unique air quality challenges. The action follows EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin’s February announcement that the agency would review Biden-era EPA waivers that allowed California to implement its own standards.
The unprecedented action marks the first time waiver approvals have been considered subject to the Congressional Review Act since its implementation in 1996. Senate approval for the resolutions was delayed due to internal debates among Republicans about the procedural approach. The Republican-led effort ultimately succeeded in pushing the resolutions through Congress, setting up today’s signing ceremony that will establish a uniform national standard for vehicle emissions rather than allowing state-specific requirements.
Impact on Multiple States and the Auto Industry
The revocations will impact not just California but also the dozen other states that had adopted California’s rules, representing approximately one-third of the U.S. auto market. The three resolutions specifically repeal an EPA waiver for California’s mandate requiring 80% of new vehicles to be electric by 2035, rescind EPA approval for California’s zero-emission heavy-duty truck requirements, and eliminate the state’s low-nitrogen oxide regulation for trucks and off-road vehicles. Republicans have argued that allowing California these waivers effectively created a nationwide electric vehicle mandate due to the size of California’s market.
The move received support from major automakers, including General Motors, Stellantis, Toyota, Hyundai, and Volkswagen, who had pushed for standardized national regulations rather than state-by-state requirements. Industry representatives have expressed concerns about meeting California’s aggressive electrification targets, particularly with consumer demand for electric vehicles not matching the regulatory timeline. The Congressional Review Act allowed the Senate to bypass a potential filibuster to undo the EV regulations, though Democrats viewed this procedural maneuver as similar to destroying the filibuster.
Legal Challenges Expected
California Attorney General Rob Bonta has already announced plans to sue once Trump signs the resolutions. The state has historically defended its authority to set stricter environmental standards, citing its unique air quality challenges and pioneering role in emissions regulations. The legal battle will likely center on whether Congress can use the Congressional Review Act to overturn EPA waivers that have been granted to California for decades under established environmental law.
Critics of Trump’s decision argue it will derail advancements in emissions reductions and undermine climate goals, while supporters maintain it will create economic benefits and reduce regulatory complexity for automakers. Senator Elissa Slotkin cited “a special responsibility to stand up for the more than one million Michiganders whose livelihoods depend on the U.S. auto industry” in her support for the resolutions. The decision represents a significant shift in environmental policy that will reverberate across the automotive industry and state regulatory frameworks for years to come.