As my RedState colleague reported, on Thursday the California Air Resources Board adopted a regulation that prohibits new sales for gas-powered vehicles. By 2035, all new cars and trucks must use electricity or hydrogen to power their engines. Only one-fifth can be electric-powered hybrid vehicles. The plan stems from CA Governor Gavin Newsom’s executive order signed nearly two years ago. But, the newly approved plan doesn’t just impact the Golden State, it puts 17 other states including Virginia on a path to adopt the regulations.
After the CARB adopted the new regulation Newsom made a statement calling the forced changes on the consumer markets “revolutionary.”
“California will continue to lead the revolution towards our zero-emission transportation future,” Newsom said.
California can adopt its own standards for vehicle emissions under the Clean Air Act. This is subject to approval by the Environmental Protection Agency. No other states are allowed to do that, but they are permitted to adopt some or all of California’s Advanced Clean Car standards. In 2021, under Democrat Governor Ralph Northam and a Democrat-controlled legislature, Virginia passed a law that links its standards to California’s.
On Friday, Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin and legislators in the Republican-controlled lower chamber vowed to take action to block the CA rules from coming to fruition in their state. Virginians heard a statement from Governor Youngkin.
“In an effort to turn Virginia into California, liberal politicians who previously ran our government sold Virginia out by subjecting Virginia drivers to California vehicle laws. Virginians are now required to follow the California law banning the sale of gasoline- and diesel-powered vehicles. I’m already working to keep this absurd edict out of Virginians. California’s out of touch laws have no place in our Commonwealth.”
House Speaker Todd Gilbert made the following statement:
“House Republicans will advance legislation in 2023 to put Virginians back in charge of Virginia’s auto emission standards and its vehicle marketplace. Virginia is not, and should not be, California.”
My statement on untying Virginia from California’s EV rule: https://t.co/BWSQKSgN4V pic.twitter.com/MK3mNKPyBb
— Governor Glenn Youngkin (@GovernorVA) August 26, 2022
Virginia Republicans tried to repeal Virginia’s law in this year. The bill passed in the House, but died in the Senate. Democrats control the Senate by one seat. The 2021 law linking the states’ standards takes effect in 2024, but the gas-powered vehicle ban does not begin in California until 2035.
Automakers decide to make electric cars, and they cancel the future Americana-loved Dodge Chargers and Challengers.