Ricketts, Crapo Lead Legislation Pushing Back on Radical Electric Vehicle Mandate

October 20, 2023

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Pete Ricketts (R-NE) and Mike Crapo (R-ID)  introduced the Choice in Automobile Retail Sales (CARS) Act to counter the Biden Administration’s radical environmental agenda and executive overreach by preventing the implementation of proposed rules that seek to limit consumer vehicle choice.

“The EPA cannot continue to pick winners and losers,” said Senator Ricketts.  “This legislation ensures the Biden administration can’t prioritize their radical left agenda over affordable and reliable internal combustion engines.  I’ll always fight to protect Nebraskans’ ability to choose what is best for them and their families.”

“Once again, the Biden Administration’s rule-making process is being used to push a radical green agenda and pick winners and losers,” said Senator Crapo.  “Americans deserve to have access to affordable, reliable vehicles fueled by American-made energy products.  However, the Biden EPA’s rule change would hurt everyday Americans while simultaneously helping China.  Consequences of rules and regulations such as these restrict consumer choice and raise costs for the average American family.”

The Choice in Automobile Retail Sales (CARS) Act:

• Would prohibit the EPA from finalizing, implementing or enforcing its proposed emissions rule;
• Would prohibit the use of authority under the Clean Air Act to issue regulations that mandate the use of any specific technology or that limit the availability of new motor vehicles based on that vehicle’s engine type.  This includes any regulation prescribed on or after January 1, 2021;
• Would require the EPA to update any regulations since January 1, 2021, that result in the limited availability of new vehicles based on that vehicle’s engine within two years; and
• Would end the EPA’s radical agenda, which is driving up costs for people and handing the keys of America’s auto industry to China.

Crapo and Ricketts are joined by Senators Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), Joe Manchin (D-WV), Jim Risch (R-ID), Deb Fischer (R-NE), Cynthia Lummis (R-WY), Katie Britt (R-AL), Roger Marshall (R-KS), Thom Tillis (R-NC), Rick Scott (R-FL), Ted Budd (R-NC), Kevin Cramer (R-ND), Tommy Tuberville (R-AL), Mike Lee (R-UT), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS), Roger Wicker (R-MS), John Barrasso (R-WY), John Boozman (R-AR), Steve Daines (R-MT), Joni Ernst (R-IA), Tom Cotton (R-AR), Bill Cassidy (R-LA), John Kennedy (R-LA), Dan Sullivan (R-AK), Tim Scott (R-SC), John Hoeven (R-ND), Mike Braun (R-IN) and Ted Cruz (R-TX) in introducing the legislation. 

The bill is supported by the American Petroleum Institute, American Fuel and Petrochemical Manufacturers, National Propane Gas Association, National Association of Convenience Stores, National Association of Truck Stop Operators, SIGMA: America’s Leading Fuel Marketers, Idaho Petroleum Marketers and Convenience Store Association, Energy Marketers of America, American Exploration and Production Council, American Energy Alliance, Western Energy Alliance, National Taxpayers Union, National Association of Small Trucking Companies, Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association, Idaho Farm Bureau, American Farm Bureau, National Corn Growers Association, National Automobile Dealers Association, Idaho Automobile Dealers Association, Texas Automobile Dealers Association, Montana Automobile Dealers Association, Specialty Equipment Market Association, Heritage Action and Americans for Prosperity.

Full text of the bill is available HERE.

BACKGROUND

On April 12, 2023, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a draft rule titled “Multi-Pollutant Emissions Standards for Model Year 2027 and Later Light-Duty and Medium-Duty Vehicles,” which sets stringent emissions standards for criteria pollutants and greenhouse gasses for certain vehicles.  This rule is the most aggressive tailpipe emissions proposal ever crafted and a de facto mandate for mass production of electric vehicles (EVs).  The EPA has projected that, if finalized, over two-thirds of all new vehicles could be electric by 2032. 

The average price of an EV is over $17,000 more than the average price of a gas-powered vehicle, according to data from Kelley Blue Book.  The Administration’s continued push for EVs threatens to hurt everyday Americans and costs auto workers their jobs while simultaneously helping China, given that China continues to dominate the EV supply chain.