- The Biden administration granted California a waiver under the Clean Air Act, allowing it to enforce an electric vehicle (EV) mandate across 18 states and territories, effectively imposing EV sales quotas on automakers starting in 2026.
- The mandate requires 35% of new car sales to be electric by 2026, increasing annually to 100% by 2035, which critics argue restricts consumer choice and undermines free-market principles.
- Critics highlight the lack of EV charging infrastructure, an unprepared power grid, and the higher cost of EVs, which could exclude middle- and working-class Americans from vehicle ownership.
- President-elect Donald Trump has vowed to reverse the mandate, calling it an overreach, but legal challenges may face hurdles due to the long-standing authority of California’s waiver under the Clean Air Act.
- The mandate is framed as an attack on individual liberty and consumer choice, with critics accusing the Biden administration and California of prioritizing ideological goals over practical concerns and democratic principles.
In a stunning display of government overreach, the Biden administration has handed California Governor Gavin Newsom unprecedented power to dictate what kind of cars Americans can drive. Under the guise of environmentalism, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has granted California a waiver to enforce its radical electric vehicle (EV) mandate across 18 states and territories. This move effectively imposes Soviet-style production quotas on automakers, forcing them to comply with arbitrary EV sales targets or face penalties.
Starting in 2026, 35% of new car sales in affected states must be electric, with the quota increasing by roughly 8% annually until it reaches 100% in 2035. This mandate is not just an attack on the auto industry; it’s an assault on the freedom of American consumers to choose the vehicles that best suit their needs. The Biden administration and California’s Democratic leadership are attempting to force a transition to electric vehicles, regardless of whether Americans want them or not.
The irony is palpable. While Democrats tout this as a victory for the environment, the reality is that it represents a blatant disregard for individual liberty and free-market principles. By granting California the authority to ban gasoline-powered vehicles, the federal government is allowing a single state to impose its radical agenda on nearly half the country. This is not democracy; it’s tyranny.
The Biden administration’s decision is particularly egregious given the lack of infrastructure to support widespread EV adoption. Charging stations remain scarce, and the power grid is ill-equipped to handle the increased demand for electricity. Moreover, EVs are often more expensive than traditional vehicles, pricing out many middle- and working-class Americans. Yet, instead of addressing these practical concerns, the Biden administration is doubling down on its green agenda, prioritizing ideology over the needs of everyday citizens.
President-elect Donald Trump has vowed to reverse this mandate, calling it “insane” and pledging to restore freedom of choice for American consumers. However, the legal battle ahead will be fierce. California’s waiver, rooted in the 1970 Clean Air Act, has a long history of withstanding challenges. Even if Trump succeeds in revoking the waiver, the damage may already be done. Automakers, fearing penalties and eager to comply with California’s stringent rules, are likely to continue investing heavily in EV production, leaving consumers with fewer options for gasoline-powered vehicles.
It's not about climate, it's about liberty
This mandate is not just about cars; it’s about control. By dictating what Americans can and cannot drive, the Biden administration and California’s leadership are sending a clear message: they know better than you do. They believe they have the right to override your preferences and impose their vision of the future, no matter the cost.
The auto industry has already voiced its concerns, calling California’s rules “an unaccountable, unachievable regulatory wormhole.” Achieving the mandates, they argue, will take a miracle. Yet, instead of listening to these warnings, the Biden administration is plowing ahead, determined to force its agenda on an unwilling public.
America was built on the principles of freedom, choice, and individual responsibility. The Biden administration’s EV mandates represent a dangerous departure from these values, replacing them with top-down control and bureaucratic overreach.
As proven by the 2024 election, it’s clear that this issue is a defining battle in the fight for freedom. Will the people allow unelected bureaucrats in Sacramento and Washington to dictate what they drive, or will they stand up for their right to choose? The answer lies with the American people.
In the words of the Washington Times, “Gavin Newsom will now decide what kind of car you’re allowed to drive.” But it doesn’t have to be this way. The time to act is now – reclaim your freedom and reject this tyrannical overreach once and for all.
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