Senate Blocks California’s EV Mandate, Trump to Make Final Call
The state’s plan to ban selling new gas-only vehicles by 2035 was revoked by the Senate, whose vote will likely be upheld by the President.
The Republican-controlled U.S. Senate has voted to revoke the EPA waivers that allow California’s strict emission regulations.
The move aims to prevent California’s plan to ban all diesel- and gas-only new passenger vehicle sales by 2035.
The Senate voted 51-44 to repeal the state’s EV mandate and defied a procedural precedent to let President Trump make the final call.
UPDATE 5/22/25: California’s EPA-approved plan to phase out new diesel- and gas-powered passenger vehicles by 2035 was blocked by the U.S. Senate, which today voted to repeal the state’s EPA waivers. Following a 51-44 vote in favor of the ban, the fate of California’s EV mandate and strict emission rules is in the hands of President Trump, who is expected to sign the measure into law. The bill will reach the President’s desk despite the Senate defying a procedural precedent by ignoring the legal guidance of a non-partisan chamber advisor.
California’s plan to ban the sale of new diesel- and gasoline-only-powered vehicles by 2035 is facing a serious challenge this week, as Republican senators are targeting the three waivers that allow the state to enforce rules that exceed federal law. California alone makes up 11 percent of all new passenger vehicle sales in the United States. With many other states adopting its emissions rules, the CARB rules could affect as much as 40 percent of the market, forcing an industry shift. If the Senate successfully blocks these waivers, the push for an EV transition could slow or stall.
Currently, plans laid out by California Governor Gavin Newsom require a rising percentage of zero-emission passenger vehicles over the next decade. By 2027, the new car mix should be 43 percent electrified or hydrogen-powered, rising to 68 percent by 2030, and finally 100 percent in 2035. Plug-in hybrids would still count as electrified vehicles, but not standard hybrids. The used-car market wouldn’t be affected by the law.
There’s also a rule regarding medium- and heavy-duty vehicles on the books. Among the new ones sold, 40 to 75 percent would need to be zero-emission by the 2035 deadline, replacing their usual diesel powertrains. Further, a CARB rule featuring stricter testing limits for particulate matter and nitrogen oxides is also on the chopping block.
Some automakers will likely view a relaxation of the California emissions standards with some relief, as their representatives have called the 2035 deadline unfeasible. SEMA, the Specialty Equipment Market Association, has also spoken out against California’s EV mandate, claiming that jobs are on the line for small businesses.
Even if the waivers are rescinded or blocked, California lawmakers have indicated a willingness to sue. Several states are already suing the federal government over funds allocated for building out the public charging network. There’s sure to be much political maneuvering as the issue plays out, and we’ll update this story once the results of the Senate vote are announced.
