Senate Republicans voted 51-44 to overturn the exemption that would allow California to set stricter air pollution standards for vehicles. The state has received more than 100 exemptions since federal law granted its rights about 50 years ago.
The other 16 states and the District of Columbia follow California emissions standards, most of which are phased out fossil fuel vehicles. Today, other Senate votes have eliminated the exemption that allows California to set stricter emission standards for medium and heavy-duty vehicles.
California’s EV mandate is actually a zero emissions standard. From 2026 onwards, the state was to demand an increase in sales of zero-emission vehicles and passenger trucks until 2035, when automakers must sell only zero-emission vehicles.
Currently, the two technologies are qualified for hydrogen fuel cells and battery electric vehicles. Given the growth pain experienced by fuel cells and hydrogen filling networks, EVS quickly became a de facto approach to meeting California’s 2035 deadline.
Last year, 25.3% of California’s new optically-working vehicles were recognized as zero emissions, almost all of which were EVs. The state’s order required 35% of new sales to become ZEVs in 2026. This is what the automaker says is “impossible.”
Although sales growth for California’s ZEVs was flat in 2024, the past few years have been different, with shares rising from 7.8% in 2020 to 25% in 2023.
Thursday’s vote tied priorities by opposing councillors and the advice of government accountability agencies. The CRA allows simple majority votes on resolutions to overturn regulations and allows Senate votes to proceed without the threat of a filibuster.
Previously, California Attorney General Rob Bonta had “prepared” Republican efforts to eliminate emissions waivers through the CRA. “I don’t think that’s a proper use of the Congressional Review Act, and if it’s unfairly weaponized, I’m ready to protect myself,” he told Politico in early March.