WASHINGTON – Today, the U.S. House of Representatives on a largely party-line of 222-190, voted to pass H.R. 1435, the Preserving Choice in Vehicle Purchase Act.
Currently, under the Clean Air Act, California is able to receive a waiver to set their own emissions standards. States may follow the federal standard or adopt the California standard.
In 2022, California finalized new standards, that will require all new light-duty vehicles sold in the state to be zero-emission by 2035 – effectively prohibiting automakers from selling non-electric vehicles. 17 states follow the California standard giving them significant influence over the vehicle market.
This bill will require the EPA to not allow California’s waiver in order to protect the sale of vehicles with combustion engines.
Rapid EV expansion is simply unfeasible. The average electric vehicle is $17,000 more than a gas-powered car and there is a lack of charging infrastructure, especially in rural areas. There are also national security concerns, as China controls 75% of the lithium-ion battery market.
Congressman Mooney said on passage of the bill, “California liberals should not be able to dictate their electric vehicle fantasy to the rest of the country. I was proud to vote in support of this bill to protect the combustible engine so that West Virginia consumers have a choice when they purchase a vehicle.”