WASHINGTON, D.C., May 24, 2023 — American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers (AFPM) President and CEO Chet Thompson issued the following statement on news that the State of California has officially submitted its petition to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) seeking federal permission to ban sales of new traditional gasoline and diesel vehicles by 2035:
“California has officially asked the Biden administration for permission to ban the sale of new gasoline and diesel vehicles by 2035—an unprecedented move that will deny millions of Americans the ability to choose for themselves the types of cars or trucks they want to drive. The decision is entirely up to President Biden, and if he grants this request, it will set the stage for California’s ban to become law in nearly 20 states, covering 40% of the U.S. population and auto market.
“The Biden administration is trying to convince the public it’s not out to ban gas stoves or vehicles. But if they give California the green light, there will be no escaping that label or its legacy of restriction.
“Both California’s unlawful attempt to ban sales of new gasoline and diesel cars and trucks and EPA’s own proposal to outlaw the vast majority of these vehicles will leave consumers with fewer affordable, family-sized vehicle options to meet their needs; both will increase costs for taxpayers and electricity users; and both will sacrifice U.S. energy security—which is built on America’s liquid fuel strength—in a gift to China.
“We’re hopeful that a moderate President Biden takes the reins. We urge him to deny California’s request outright and to rescind EPA’s own proposal to eliminate most internal combustion engine vehicles. If he does not, Congress needs to be ready to push back as a last line of defense for American consumers and our energy and national security.”
California’s Advanced Clean Cars II regulation would require 100% of new vehicle sales in state to qualify as “zero emission” by 2035. If California receives federal authorization to proceed with this plan, its policy will be automatically become law in a number of other states, potentially covering 40% of the U.S. population. With so much of the market operating under California policy, all Americans would be impacted through their taxes, when purchasing new and used vehicles and when paying their electricity bills.
The American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers (AFPM) is the leading trade association representing the makers of the fuels that keep us moving, the petrochemicals that are the essential building blocks for modern life, and the midstream companies that get our feedstocks and products where they need to go. We make the products that make life better, safer and more sustainable — we make progress.
