Washington, D.C. — In a sweeping move that has triggered national controversy, President Donald Trump has officially revoked California’s landmark electric vehicle (EV) mandate, a policy that aimed to phase out gas-powered car sales by 2035. Signed on June 12, 2025, the reversal was carried out under the Congressional Review Act, dismantling one of the strongest state-level climate initiatives in the U.S.
At a press conference, Trump declared he was “saving the American auto industry”, accusing California of pushing regulations that “destroy jobs and force unwanted lifestyle changes.” He added, “If you want to drive electric, that’s your choice—but it shouldn’t be forced.”
The now-defunct rules required 80% of new cars sold in California to be electric or plug-in hybrid by 2035, with additional requirements on zero-emission trucks and clean air standards.
🔁 Impact Spreads Beyond California
The decision doesn’t just affect California—it reverberates across the 17 states that adopted the same rules. States like New York, New Jersey, Colorado, and Washington are now forced to re-evaluate their own EV transition plans.
While many automakers expressed relief, citing unrealistic deadlines and high production costs, environmental groups and clean energy advocates condemned the rollback as a blow to climate progress. The Alliance for Automotive Innovation, representing major manufacturers like Ford, Toyota, and Stellantis, supported the decision, saying the state mandates were “too aggressive and out of touch with market realities.”
Notably, Tesla, which had financially benefited from selling EV credits to other automakers, may lose a significant revenue stream. Still, investors appear unshaken, betting on the company’s long-term dominance in the EV market.
⚖️ California Vows to Fight Back
In response, California Governor Gavin Newsom and Attorney General Rob Bonta vowed to sue the federal government, calling the decision an attack on the state’s constitutional rights and environmental leadership. They emphasized that California’s Clean Air Act waiver, granted by the federal government decades ago, allows it to set stricter emissions standards.
“This isn’t just about clean cars—it’s about the right of states to protect their own air and public health,” Newsom stated.
“We’ll see Trump in court.”
🔥 Political and Environmental Fallout
The rollback forms part of Trump’s broader effort to dismantle climate-related regulations. In the same week, he criticized wind energy as a “scam” and promoted a return to fossil fuels and nuclear power.
Critics argue that overturning the EV mandate will slow down America’s transition to clean transportation, hinder job growth in green industries, and damage U.S. global leadership in the fight against climate change.
With legal battles looming, the future of California’s clean vehicle policies—and the country’s climate trajectory—hangs in the balance.
