The changing car emissions standards have been controversial, to say the least. This is especially true when looking at California’s Advanced Clean Cars II regulations, which are stricter than what’s federally required. Since being implemented in 2022, 13 states have adopted California’s car emissions standards. However, Virginia’s governor would like to see an end to that in the Commonwealth. 

The Virginia governor believes the car emissions standards remove freedom

According to WUSA9, Governor Glenn Youngkin has called for the end of enforcing California’s Advanced Clean Cars 11 regulations. Of course, California adopted this set of car emissions standards in 2022, and the then-democratic governor adopted them for Virginia. However, Governor Glenn Youngkin has been a staunch critic of the guidelines for a while now. 

Naturally, there’s a lot to the car emissions standards. However, one of the most controversial aspects would end the sale of gas-powered cars by 2035. This would make way for more EVs on the road in order to eventually achieve zero emissions. Based on the current standards, electric cars would need to make up 22% of new auto sales by the end of next year. Automakers would have to pay a fine if this does not happen. EV sales made up 9% of all new cars purchased in the state in 2023. 

Governor Glenn Youngkin had this to say about the car emissions standards, “Once again, Virginia is declaring independence – this time from a misguided electric vehicle mandate imposed by unelected leaders nearly 3,000 miles away from the Commonwealth. Virginians deserve the freedom to choose which vehicles best fit the needs of their families and businesses.”

There is opposition

State Senator Barbara Favola is one of the people in the state who opposes ending the enforcement of the current car emissions standards. She had this to say on the matter, “This is not a California mandate. This is a Virginia mandate that the governor is trying to overrule. So, what he’s doing is trying to make the standards that the Virginia lawmakers adopted, he’s trying to make them look extreme.”

However, Attorney General Jason Miyares says the way the law is written does not require Virginia to continue to enforce it. If all goes as planned, the state will begin following the federal car emissions standards on January 1, 2025. 

The Attorney General shared some of the governor’s opinions. He said, “EV mandates like California’s are unworkable and out of touch with reality, and thankfully, the law does not bind us to their regulations. California does not control which cars Virginians buy, and any thoughts that automobile manufacturers should face millions of dollars in civil penalties rather than allowing our citizens to choose their own vehicles is completely absurd.”