An executive order by President Donald Trump seeks to eliminate what he calls “the electric vehicle mandate.”
The order, titled “Unleashing American Energy,” says it will "promote true consumer choice, which is essential for economic growth and innovation, by removing regulatory barriers to motor vehicle access.”
It also promises to ensure “a level regulatory playing field for consumer choice in vehicles by terminating, where appropriate, state emissions waivers that function to limit sales of gasoline-powered automobiles and by considering the elimination of unfair subsidies and other ill-conceived government-imposed market distortions that favor of EVs and other technologies that effectively mandate their purchase by individuals, private businesses and government entities alike by rendering other types of vehicles unaffordable.”
In a recent statement, the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) said it applauds the order.
“On day one of his new administration, President Trump reclaimed the nation’s freedom of vehicle choice, proclaiming the authority of the United States of America, rather than so-called United States of California, to set national policies,” said President and CEO Mike Spagnola, referring to California’s EV mandate that requires 100% sales of zero-emission and plug-in hybrid electric cars within the state by 2035.
