California regulators push back against car dealers' campaign on emissions rule

California air quality officials are challenging a new-car dealer ad campaign that warns the state’s zero-emission vehicle mandate could hurt the economy.

Sharon Udasin reports for The Hill.

In short:

• The California New Car Dealers Association launched the Calibrate campaign to oppose the state's Advanced Clean Cars II rule, which phases out new gas-powered car sales by 2035.
• The California Air Resources Board (CARB) dismissed the campaign's claims as misleading, arguing that the rule is achievable and necessary for public health.
• CARB rebutted concerns about penalties, charging infrastructure, and sales targets, stating that manufacturers have flexibility and the state has funding for EV infrastructure.

Key quote:

“This latest attack threatening to withhold supply from the nation’s largest car market based on false narratives about compliance is an unfortunate, misleading attempt to create an artificial crisis that undermines California’s public health goals.”

— Liane M. Randolph, CARB chair

Why this matters:

California has long played a pioneering role in setting vehicle emissions standards, leveraging its authority under the federal Clean Air Act to push for cleaner cars. The state's Advanced Clean Cars II rule is the latest in a series of aggressive policies designed to cut air pollution and accelerate the transition away from fossil fuels. Under the rule, all new passenger vehicles sold in the state must be zero-emission by 2035 — a move that could have far-reaching implications for both the auto industry and national climate policy.

While supporters hail the regulation as essential to combating climate change and improving air quality, critics, including some automakers and dealerships, warn of challenges in affordability, consumer choice, and charging infrastructure. The policy’s impact extends beyond California’s borders, as more than a dozen other states typically follow its lead on emissions rules. With federal approval secured under the Biden administration, the policy is poised to influence national standards unless shifting political winds change the course.

Learn more: California’s clean fuel policy faces legal roadblock