East Idaho Times

U.S. Senator Mike Crapo of Idaho has announced his support for a series of legislative measures aimed at repealing policies from the Biden-Harris Administration that he argues impose electric vehicle (EV) mandates and limit consumer choice in the automotive sector. Crapo contends these regulations restrict access to affordable, reliable vehicles powered by American-made energy.

"The previous Administration put forward regulations that would essentially mandate the mass production of electric vehicles and a phase-out of gas-powered cars and trucks," Crapo stated. "Idahoans deserve access to affordable, reliable vehicles fueled by American-made energy products. We should block any efforts that restrict affordable choice for families and push our country toward greater dependence on China."

Crapo is leading the reintroduction of the Choice in Automobile Retail Sales (CARS) Act, which aims to repeal an EPA tailpipe emissions rule finalized under the current administration. He has also collaborated with Senators Markwayne Mullin of Oklahoma, Dan Sullivan of Alaska, and Mike Lee of Utah on additional legislative proposals designed to maintain consumer options in the automobile market.

Among these proposals is the Preserving Choice in Vehicle Purchases Act, spearheaded by Senator Mullin. This act seeks to prevent implementation of the Biden EPA's Advanced Clean Cars II regulation, which prohibits sales of conventional gasoline-powered cars by 2035.

Senator Sullivan leads another initiative called the Freedom to Haul Act. This legislation intends to protect the trucking industry from what he describes as impractical mandates by blocking an EPA rule known as "Greenhouse Gas Emissions Standards for Heavy-Duty Vehicles-Phase 3," perceived as an EV mandate for trucking.

Lastly, Senator Lee has introduced the Stop California from Advancing Regulatory Burden (CARB) Act. This proposal targets eliminating Clean Air Act waiver exemptions that permit California and other states to set national emissions standards independently, potentially raising costs and reducing consumer vehicle choices.