House revokes waiver Biden granted to California, which allowed many states to mandate EVs

The House Wednesday passed a resolution that revokes the waiver the Biden administration granted California in December, which allowed California to set its own emissions requirements. 

The rule allowed the Golden State to implement its Advanced Clean Cars II (ACCII) regulations, which required 100% of new vehicles sold in the state to be zero-emission models by 2035.

The Biden administration passed two regulations that create the de facto EV mandate. The tailpipe emission standards, which sets limits on emissions from vehicles, and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards, which limits emissions across fleets of vehicles.

Because 17 states and the District of Columbia have adopted California’s regulations, and because manufacturers understand that California is the largest market for new cars by far, California’s EV mandate would likely maintain an EV mandate nationally, even if the other rules were to be repealed. 

The House passed the resolution repealing Biden’s waiver 225-196. Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania was the only Republican to vote against it. The Senate must now approve the measure before it goes to President Donald Trump’s desk. 

The resolution was introduced under the Congressional Review Act, which allows Congress to block finalized federal regulations.