South Michigan News

Washington, D.C. - The Choice in Automobile Retail Sales (CARS) Act, introduced by Congressman Tim Walberg and Andrew Clyde, has been passed by the House with bipartisan support. The bill aims to prevent the implementation of aggressive emission standards for light and medium-duty vehicles that limit consumer choice by requiring over two-thirds of all new vehicles to be electric by 2032. It also seeks to prevent the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) from implementing future vehicle emissions regulations that would mandate certain technologies or limit the availability of vehicles based on engine type.

"Just last week, nearly 4,000 car dealers sent a letter to the Biden administration asking them to reconsider their EV mandate, citing a lack of demand from consumers. Today, with the passage of the CARS Act, the House showed we're listening," said Rep. Walberg. He emphasized the importance of consumer choice and the need to avoid pricing many families out of the market. Rep. Walberg also highlighted the importance of considering other technologies like hydrogen, hybrids, and the internal combustion engine in addition to electric vehicles.

The CARS Act has received bipartisan support and is expected to be brought up for a vote in the Senate. The legislation aims to allow consumers to choose the vehicle that best meets their needs and prevent regulations that limit their options. It would prohibit the EPA from finalizing, implementing, or enforcing its proposed rule on emissions standards for light-duty and medium-duty vehicles. Additionally, it would prohibit the use of authority under the Clean Air Act to issue regulations mandating specific technologies or limiting the availability of new motor vehicles based on engine type. The bill also requires the EPA to update any regulations that result in the limited availability of vehicles based on engine type within two years.

The proposed rule by the EPA, titled "Multi-Pollutant Emissions Standards for Model Year 2027 and Later Light-Duty and Medium-Duty Vehicles," has raised concerns about the accessibility of affordable vehicles for the average American consumer. The EPA estimates that over two-thirds of all new vehicles will be electric by 2032 due to these aggressive standards. However, recent research has shown that electric vehicles are not a realistic option for the majority of American families. The average household income of EV owners is over $100,000, which only represents about 31% of U.S. households. Additionally, supply chain shortages have caused the prices of EVs to continue rising, further limiting their affordability.

The passage of the CARS Act is seen as a win for both consumers and the auto industry. It allows for a broader range of vehicle choices and supports American car manufacturers. "The CARS Act is a win for not only the consumer but the entire auto industry, from the workers producing engines in my district to the dealers who can meet the demand for other vehicles," said Rep. Walberg.

The full text of the bill can be found on Congressman Walberg's website. The bill has gained attention and support as an alternative to the Biden administration's electric vehicle strategy. Congressman Walberg recently co-authored an op-ed with Heather Reams, explaining why they believe that relying solely on electric vehicles is not the silver bullet to reduce emissions.

Congressman Walberg serves on the House Energy and Commerce Committee and the House Education and the Workforce Committee. For more information on his work in Congress, visit walberg.house.gov.

Click this link to access more information: https://walberg.house.gov/media/press-releases/house-passes-walberg-bill-protect-automobile-choice