Press Releases

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Congressman Russ Fulcher (R-ID) and U.S. Congressman Tim Walberg (R-MI) introduced the Choice in Automobile Retail Sales (CARS) Act, H.R. 2165. The CARS Act would prevent the EPA from implementing any future vehicle emissions regulations that would mandate certain technologies or limit the availability of vehicles based upon engine type. 

"Consumer choice must be what dictates any future market transition to electric vehicles—not the federal government by mandate," said Congressman Fulcher. "I am proud to join Congressman Walberg in re-introducing the CARS Act to prohibit the EPA from implementing any vehicle emissions regulations, like the one proposed under the Biden administration, that would effectively tell Idahoans and Americans across the country which cars they can and cannot purchase. This bill supports an all-of-the-above approach when it comes to fuel and recognizes that emissions have decreased substantially over the decades, all while allowing for choice in fuel types for vehicles. I am committed to seeing it passed."

"While President Trump has reversed course by eliminating the de facto electric vehicle mandate imposed by the Biden-Harris administration, we must provide certainty and stability for the automotive industry," said Congressman Walberg. "The CARS Act will prevent future unrealistic government mandates from being imposed on auto manufacturers and consumers. Instead of creating misguided regulations that limit consumer choice, make vehicles more expensive for families, and cede America's automotive leadership and jobs to China, we should allow innovation to lead the way. I remain committed to ensuring that the future of the automotive industry is driven by those in Michigan, instead of those in Washington or Beijing." 

The Choice in Automobile Retail Sales (CARS) Act  

The Choice in Automobile Retail Sales (CARS) Act would prevent the implementation of regulations that seek to limit consumer choice, instead allowing consumers to choose the vehicle that best meets their needs. The legislation would: 

• Prohibit the use of authority under the Clean Air Act to issue regulations that mandate the use of any specific technology or that would limit the availability of new motor vehicles based on that vehicle’s engine type

• Require the EPA to update any regulations that result in the limited availability of new vehicles based upon that vehicle’s engine within two years

Background 

On March 20, 2024, the EPA finalized a rule titled "Multi-Pollutant Emissions Standards for Model Years 2027 and Later Light-Duty and Medium-Duty Vehicles." This rule would set stringent emissions standards for criteria pollutants and greenhouse gasses for these vehicles, and the EPA has projected that due to these aggressive standards, around 56% of new vehicles sold between 2030 and 2032 would need to be electric.  

This rule raised serious concerns regarding the accessibility of affordable vehicles for the average American consumer. According to research from CRES Forum, the average EV owner’s household income is over $100,000, which only equates to about 31% of U.S. households, making electric vehicles an unrealistic option for the majority of American families. Supply chain shortages have also caused the prices of EVs to continue to rise, making electric vehicles further out of reach for consumers. 

On January 20, 2025, President Trump issued an executive order to eliminate the electric vehicle mandate and promote consumer choice. Specifically, the order revoked President Biden's executive order issued on August 5, 2021, which sought to ensure that half of all new vehicles sold in the United States by 2030 were electric. 

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