Trump Blocks California's Plan to Ban Gas-Powered Cars by 2035

Strategic Insights -

California's goal to ban the sale of new gas-powered cars by 2035 has been dealt a significant blow as President Donald Trump signed a resolution on Thursday blocking the state's rule. The move comes as a part of an ongoing battle between the Trump administration and California over issues such as climate change, air pollution, and the environment. The resolution, which was approved by Congress, aims to quash the country's most aggressive attempt to phase out gas-powered cars. California's attorney general, Rob Bonta, quickly announced that the state plans to challenge the move in court, calling the federal government's actions "unlawful, irrational, and wildly partisan."

Key Takeaways:

  • The Trump administration has signed a resolution blocking California's rule to ban the sale of new gas-powered cars by 2035, which would have made California the first state in the nation to phase out gasoline-powered vehicles.
  • The resolution also kills rules that phase out the sale of medium- and heavy-duty diesel vehicles and cut tailpipe emissions from trucks.
  • California's attorney general, Rob Bonta, has announced the state's plan to sue the federal government over the move, calling it "illegal" and "nothing more than a continuation of the President's all-out assault on California."
  • Ten other states with Democratic attorneys general have joined the lawsuit filed by California.
  • The Alliance for Automotive Innovation, which represents major car makers, has applauded Trump's action, saying that the EV sales mandates were "never achievable and wildly unrealistic."
  • The move follows other steps by the Trump administration to roll back rules aimed at protecting air and water, reducing emissions that cause climate change, and reviving American auto manufacturing.
  • California has been able to seek waivers from the EPA, allowing it to adopt stricter emissions standards than the federal government, but this move is a significant blow to the state's efforts to address climate change and air pollution.
  • The Senate parliamentarian has agreed with a nonpartisan congressional watchdog's finding that California's standards cannot legally be blocked using the Congressional Review Act.

Statistics:

  • California makes up roughly 11% of the U.S. car market.
  • About a dozen states have signed on to adopt California's rule phasing out the sale of new gas-powered cars.
  • The Trump administration has taken multiple steps to roll back rules aimed at protecting air and water and reducing emissions that cause climate change.
  • In 2022, Democratic President Joe Biden reinstated California's ability to enforce its stricter emissions standards.
  • The U.S. Government Accountability Office has found that California's standards cannot legally be blocked using the Congressional Review Act.

Sources:

  • Washington (AP) — President Donald Trump signed a resolution on Thursday that blocks California’s first-in-the-nation rule banning the sale of new gas-powered cars by 2035.
  • The Associated Press, Copyright 2025, "Trump Blocks California's Plan to Ban Gas-Powered Cars by 2035."