WASHINGTON – Rep. Burgess Owens (UT-04) applauded the House passage of the Preserving Choice in Purchasing Vehicles Act, legislation to protect American consumers’ freedom of choice. Although approximately 95% (275 million) of personal and commercial vehicles in the United States are powered by internal combustion engines, the Left wants to prohibit the production of traditional gas-powered cars by 2035. 

“Families in Utah and across the country depend on affordable, safe, and reliable vehicles,” said Rep. Owens. “Recent attempts to ban traditional gas-powered cars puts an unaffordable and impractical mandate on the nation, raising prices for hardworking families and limiting the rights of every American to purchase the vehicle of their choice. I am proud to see the Preserving Choice in Vehicle Purchases Act pass the House today to protect our automotive future and safeguard the freedom of choice for all Americans.”

Background:

On August 25, 2022, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) voted to place stringent new requirements on automakers that would effectively ban the sale of new internal combustion engine (ICE) cars and light trucks by 2035 in favor of so-called “zero-emission vehicles” (ZEV), like plug-in hybrid, full battery-electric, and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles. To proceed with its plans to ban ICE vehicles, California would need a waiver of Clean Air Act preemption provisions from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). CARB has readily admitted that this action will extend beyond its state borders, with 17 other states bound to follow California’s standards. This would constitute 40 percent of the entire nation’s new car sales. 

The full text of the legislation is available here.

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