Rep. Gary Palmer Questions California on EV Standards Compliance

Rep. Gary Palmer, a Republican from Hoover, is seeking clarification from California’s environmental authorities regarding the state’s apparent disregard for recent congressional reversals of electric vehicle standards.

Palmer, a member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, recently collaborated with a colleague to address a letter to the executive officer of the California Air Resources Commission. The letter inquired about potential violations concerning the enforcement of electric vehicle regulations in light of recent rollbacks.

The correspondence, spearheaded by House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Brett Guthrie, expressed concerns regarding reports that California and other jurisdictions adhering to its standards are enforcing emission regulations for vehicles that do not comply with federal clean air laws.

This situation arose after Congress used the Congressional Review Act to nullify the exemption previously granted to California by the Biden administration’s EPA earlier this year.

The letter highlighted ongoing compliance efforts while also expressing opposition to California’s Executive Order regarding the Model Year 2026 vehicles that they permitted for sale in Model Year 2025.

In a statement, the committee emphasized that California needs to align with federal laws to ensure that consumers have the freedom to choose the vehicles that best meet their needs.

Additionally, several progressive states are also implementing California’s low emissions standards.