California has historically maintained stricter auto emissions standards than federal regulations, thanks to a special waiver under the Clean Air Act. This allowance enabled the state to promote electric vehicle (EV) sales aggressively, aiming for a complete ban on gas-powered vehicles by 2035. However, a recent resolution signed by Trump threatens to overturn this waiver, potentially harming not only California's efforts but also the nation's overall EV adoption. Experts argue that California has significantly influenced the automotive industry by driving the availability of EV options, and this legislative change could set back U.S. advancements in electric vehicle technology.
"California has probably been the largest factor in accelerating EV adoption over the past decade," says Jeremy Michalek, an engineering professor at Carnegie Mellon University."
"When California sets stricter regulations around auto emissions, it changes what sorts of cars are available for drivers everywhere."
"If California sets stricter standards than the rest of the country, automakers have to decide, 'Are we going to try to customize different vehicles for different markets..."
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