By Steven Symes 
SEMA is doing yet another victory lap, this time after the US House of Representatives voted 246 to 164 to overturn California’s Clean Air Act waiver. That previously cleared the way for the Golden State’s Advanced Clean Cars II agenda, or in other words mandating people buy EVs while banning the sale of internal combustion engine vehicles.
Tesla board denies it ever considered replacing Elon Musk.
Of course, we’ve watched as Americans have pushed back hard against electric cars, leading to falling sales. Now all it will take is the US Senate to put the final nail in the coffin for California’s Clean Air Act waiver.
Hopefully members of the Senate understand how deeply unpopular the notion of forcing people to buy electric cars is. Americans cherish their right to choose what vehicle they drive and many still don’t trust EVs or believe the technology is ready for mass adoption.
As SEMA points out in its press release marking another step in defeating California’s Advanced Clean Cars II agenda, if EVs are as wonderful as advocates say, they should be able to compete in the open market, swaying people to give up their gas-powered rides without a fuss.
After all, that’s how cars won over Americans who were using horses and buggies back in the day. The market spoke once automotive technology was compelling and accessible enough for the public in general to adopt it.
Mandating through government action that everyone must purchase EVs will not in fact improve them. Instead of automakers having to refine their designs, lower costs, etc. they will have a captive market, giving them little incentive to advance their current crop of electric cars.
If California is able to mandate only EVs are sold inside its borders, other states have already said they’ll follow suit. That would mean a large portion of the nation would be cut off from vehicle choice, which could threaten the economy on a large scale.
It’s time to let your senators know your will on this issue.
Image via Chevrolet