California’s ambitious plan to phase out new gas-powered car sales by 2035 was recently struck down by the U.S. Senate. The move, seen as a major blow to California’s clean air efforts, has reignited debate about the future of electric vehicles in the state and beyond.
According to the L.A. Times, the Senate voted 51-44 last week to overturn a Biden-era Environmental Protection Agency waiver that allowed California and several other Democratic-led states to enforce stricter zero-emission standards for new passenger vehicles. In addition, separate votes rolled back California’s rules requiring heavy-duty truck fleets to transition to cleaner engines and adopt a growing percentage of zero-emission vehicles.
Bringing in legal expert Brian Harnick and life coach Sue Abramowitz, the discussion highlighted diverging perspectives. Abramowitz noted, “I don’t think the push for EVs in California is running out of steam. Our son just bought one, but I understand why sales might be slowing—cars are expensive, just like homes. And with the rule gone, our air won’t get better here. I have asthma. I know what it’s like to breathe in the Coachella Valley.”
Harnick added, “Everyone wants clean air. But the reality is electricity is primarily generated from fossil fuels, and we’re already struggling to meet demand. EVs are expensive without government subsidies, and manufacturers are losing money on them. The lure of EVs is starting to lessen. Electricity doesn’t just come from plugging in a charger—it’s tied to how we produce energy, which remains heavily reliant on fossil fuels.”
The rollback of California’s clean air policies and the waning enthusiasm for EVs have sparked fresh questions about how states can balance environmental goals with economic realities.
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By: Fred Roggin
June 2, 2025
