Washington DC – Today, the House of Representatives passed the Automobile Retail Sales Choice Act (CARS) Act with bipartisan support by a vote of 221-197. The bill, introduced by Rep. Tim Walberg (MI-05) and Rep. Andrew Clyde (GA-09), would require the Biden administration to reduce emissions by more than two-thirds for light and medium-duty vehicles. It prohibits the introduction of aggressive emissions standards that restrict consumer choice by requiring The CARS Act would also prevent the EPA from enforcing future vehicle emissions regulations that mandate specific technologies or limit vehicle availability based on engine type.
“Just last week, nearly 4,000 auto dealers sent a letter to the Biden administration asking it to reconsider the EV mandate, citing a lack of demand from consumers.Today, with the passage of the CARS Act, the House of Representatives showed that we are listening.” Rep. Walberg said.. “Instead of tying America’s automakers’ hands, forcing families to buy cars that don’t fit their lifestyles, and pricing out many families out of the market, we should encourage consumer choice. Passage of the CARS Act is not just a victory for consumers, but the entire auto industry is important, from the workers who make the engines in my district to the dealers who can meet the demand for other cars. “We have to be realistic. EVs may play a big role in the future of the auto industry, but Washington should.” “Other technologies such as hydrogen, hybrids, and internal combustion engines Don’t take it lightly. The CARS Act already has bipartisan support in the Senate and we should act quickly by bringing it to a vote.”
Choosing a Automobile Retail Sales (CARS) Law
The Automobile Retail Sales Choice (CARS) Act would stop this government overreach by blocking the enforcement of regulations that seek to limit consumer choice, and instead allow consumers to choose the vehicle that best suits their needs. This allows you to choose. This law is as follows:
- Prohibits EPA from finalizing, implementing, or enforcing the proposed rule entitled “Multi-Pollutant Emission Standards for Light and Medium-duty Vehicles for Model Year 2027 and Beyond.”
- Prohibits the use of authority under the Clean Air Act to enact regulations that require the use of certain technologies or limit the availability of new vehicles based on engine type.
- Requires EPA to update regulations within two years that would limit the availability of new vehicles based on that vehicle’s engine.
- End the EPA’s radical policies that drive up costs for the public and hand over the keys to the U.S. auto industry to China
The full text of the bill can be found here.
Congressman Walberg recently wrote an op-ed with Heather Reames about why Biden’s electric vehicle strategy is not a silver bullet for reducing emissions.
background
In April 2023, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a proposed rule called “Multi-Pollutant Emission Standards for Light and Medium-duty Vehicles for Model Year 2027 and Beyond”. The rule would set stricter emissions standards for reference pollutants and greenhouse gases for these vehicles, and EPA estimates that these aggressive standards will reduce the number of emissions from two-thirds of all new vehicles by 2032. It is predicted that the above will be electric vehicles.
This proposal raised serious concerns about the availability of affordable automobiles for the average American consumer. According to a recent study by the CRES Forum, the average EV owner has a household income of more than $100,000, which is only about 31% of U.S. households, and for the majority of U.S. households, electric vehicles are This is an unrealistic option. Supply chain shortages also continue to drive up EV prices, putting them out of reach for consumers.
Congressman Walberg serves on the House Energy and Commerce Committee and the House Education and Workforce Committee. For more information about Mr. Walberg’s work in Congress, please visit walberg.house.gov.