The House of Representatives passed a bill that blocks a proposed rule by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
The EPA rule would have required most cars produced in the United States to be electric by 2032.
H.R. 4468, or Choice in Automobile Retail Sales Act of 2023, passed 221-197.
“This bill limits the authority of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) with regard to regulating emissions standards for new motor vehicles,” according to a summary of the legislation. “Specifically, the EPA is prohibited from prescribing a regulation related to new motor vehicle emissions standards that (1) mandates the use of any specific technology, or (2) results in limited availability of new motor vehicles based on the type of new motor vehicle engine.”
The bill’s passage in the House of Representatives comes as over 200 House and Senate Republicans recently signed a letter addressed to House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) calling for a repeal of the proposed EPA rule.
“This rule requires that over two-thirds of all vehicles sold in the United States be fully electric in less than nine years, effectively forcing Americans to exclusively buy and produce EVs and increasing U.S. reliance on China’s domination of the EV supply chain,” explains a press release from Senator Dan Sullivan (R-AK).
“The EPA’s proposed mandate will increase dependency on supply chains controlled by the Chinese government,” the members of Congress wrote in the letter. “Today, up to 90 percent of the electric vehicle battery supply chain relies on China. The batteries that power electric vehicles require critical minerals, including lithium, cobalt, nickel, graphite, and manganese—and China processes 75 percent of these minerals.”
“Not only would the EPA’s proposed regulation hurt America’s national security, but it would severely limit consumer choice for affordable vehicles that fit the needs of the average American,” the letter added. “At a time of inflation, high interest rates, and rising costs, the last thing Americans need is to find both new and used vehicles unaffordable because of an EPA mandate.”
Thousands of car dealership owners across the United States also signed an open letter to the Biden administration opposing the push for electric vehicles (EVs).
More than 3,800 auto dealers wrote, “We are deeply committed to the customers we serve and the communities where we operate, which is why we are asking you to slow down your proposed regulations mandating battery electric vehicle (BEV) production and distribution.”
“Mr. President, it is time to tap the brakes on the unrealistic government electric vehicle mandate. Allow time for the battery technology to advance. Allow time to make BEVs more affordable,” the auto dealers stated. “Allow time to develop domestic sources for the minerals to make batteries. Allow time for the charging infrastructure to be built and prove reliable. And most of all, allow time for the American consumer to get comfortable with the technology and make the choice to buy an electric vehicle.”
