10.20.23

Hoeven Pushing Back on De Facto EV Mandate from the EPA

WASHINGTON – Senator John Hoeven (R-N.D.), a member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, today joined Senators Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) and Pete Ricketts (R-Neb.) in introducing the Choice in Automobile Retail Sales (CARS) Act to prevent the Biden Administration’s implementation of a proposed rule and other regulations that seek to limit consumer vehicle choice. The legislation comes in response to an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposal, which sets emissions standards for criteria pollutants and greenhouse gases for certain vehicles. This rule is the most aggressive tailpipe emissions proposal ever crafted and a de facto mandate for mass production of electric vehicles (EVs). Accordingly, the CARS Act would:

  • Prohibit the EPA from finalizing, implementing or enforcing its proposed emissions rule.
  • Prohibit the use of authority under the Clean Air Act to issue regulations that mandate the use of any specific technology or that limit the availability of new motor vehicles based on that vehicle’s engine type. This includes any regulation prescribed on or after January 1, 2021.
  • Require the EPA to update any regulations since January 1, 2021, that result in the limited availability of new vehicles based on that vehicle’s engine within two years.

“Imposing unworkable mandates on car manufacturers will mean higher costs and fewer choices for U.S. consumers, while resulting in older, less efficient vehicles remaining on the road,” said Hoeven.  “That’s the wrong path forward for our nation. Instead of burdensome and costly federal rules, we should work to build a business environment that fosters innovation and choice in the marketplace.”

“Once again, the Biden Administration’s rule-making process is being used to push a radical green agenda and pick winners and losers,” said Crapo.  “Americans deserve to have access to affordable, reliable vehicles fueled by American-made energy products. However, the Biden EPA’s rule change would hurt everyday Americans while simultaneously helping China.  Consequences of rules and regulations such as these restrict consumer choice and raise costs for the average American family.”

“The EPA cannot continue to pick winners and losers,” said Ricketts.  “This legislation ensures the Biden administration can’t prioritize their radical left agenda over affordable and reliable internal combustion engines. I’ll always fight to protect Nebraskans’ ability to choose what is best for them and their families.”

In addition to Hoeven, Crapo and Ricketts, the legislation is cosponsored by Senators Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.), Jim Risch (R-Idaho), Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.), Katie Britt (R-Ala.), Roger Marshall (R-Kan.), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), Rick Scott (R-Fla.), Ted Budd (R-N.C.), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.), Mike Lee (R-Utah), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.), Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), John Boozman (R-Ark.), Steve Daines (R-Mont.), Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), Bill Cassidy (R-La.), John Kennedy (R-La.), Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska), Tim Scott (R-S.C.), Mike Braun (R-Ind.) and Ted Cruz (R-Texas).

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