It’s Done: US Senate Votes To End California EV Mandate

The vote to end California’s EV mandate by overturning California’s Clean Air Act waiver was held in the United States Senate today, the measure passing handily 51 to 44. It’s a huge victory for the auto industry and Americans’ freedom to choose the type of car they believe is best suited to their needs.

Pontiac could be coming back from the dead.

This victory not only impacts people living in California but eleven other states which have piggybacked on the Golden State’s EV mandate in recent years. Considering we were getting close to what some considered the point of no return on these regulations, this was a disaster averted.

But Governor Gavin Newsom doesn’t see it that way. Addressing the citizens of California after the Senate vote, he said, “We’re just moving forward. Status quo. We think this was unlawful.”

>>@CAGovernor Gavin Newsom in response to the @SenateGOP illegally revoking California’s clean air waivers:

“We’re just moving forward. Status quo. We think this was unlawful.”

California will continue to lead the way in protecting clean air, creating innovative tech that will… pic.twitter.com/bowLVgh96l

— Governor Newsom Press Office (@GovPressOffice) May 22, 2025

In other words, Governor Newsome believes he can ignore this action by Congress, an elected body which constitutionally is granted the power to regulate, something members of both chambers have passed to bodies of federal bureaucrats.

Finally, when Congress steps up and does a little regulation itrself, a governor decides he doesn’t have to follow that lead.  

Others have argued that California’s waiver was in fact unlawful, as well as the governor using his power to force citizens into buying electric cars. It seems this might be a matter for the courts to decide, perhaps rising to the level of the US Supreme Court.

SEMA, which pressured Congress to kill California’s waiver, has celebrated this decision. President and CEO Mike Spagnola released an official statement:

“SEMA thanks the lawmakers from both sides of the aisle who stood up for Americans’ freedom to determine which vehicles are best for them,” said SEMA President and CEO Mike Spagnola. “We thank those in the nation’s community of automotive enthusiasts and the aftermarket businesses who engaged in the advocacy process, many for the first time, to remind lawmakers that this is the United States of America, not the United States of California. Congress’ vote gives the nation’s automotive marketplace much-needed stability, which will deliver renewed investment and sufficient resources to aid our industry in doing what we do best: innovating the future of automotive technology. 

“This victory would not be possible without the courage and fortitude shown by Majority Leader Thune and Speaker Johnson to look beyond the opposition’s lies and underhanded effort to undermine the will of the people,” Spagnola said. “We look forward to President Trump putting an end to this nightmarish EV mandates policy with his signature and thus fulfill an important promise he made to the American people.” 

Image via Stellantis