Central Louisiana News

U.S. Senators Bill Cassidy and Mike Crapo, alongside other Republican colleagues, have reintroduced the Choice in Automobile Retail Sales (CARS) Act. The legislation aims to repeal an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rule that was enacted under President Biden and Vice President Harris, which they claim is pushing for a transition away from gas-powered vehicles.

Senator Cassidy criticized the current administration's approach: “Making Louisiana families pay for EV tax breaks for rich peoples’ cars was one of the many bad things the Biden Administration did,” he stated. He believes the CARS Act will help mitigate these issues.

Senator Crapo also expressed concerns about the EPA's regulations, saying, “The rule-making process under the previous Administration pushed a radical green agenda that harmed consumer choice in the automobile industry.” He emphasized that such regulations could negatively impact American consumers by limiting access to affordable vehicles and potentially aiding China.

The rule from the Biden-Harris Administration sets emissions standards for vehicles starting with model year 2027. It requires that by 2032, no more than 30 percent of new car sales be internal combustion engine vehicles, which still constitute most new car sales today.

Cassidy and Crapo argue that electric vehicle mandates could disadvantage American consumers and workers while benefiting China due to its dominance in the EV supply chain. Despite government subsidies, electric vehicles remain more expensive than their gas-powered counterparts, with demand for EVs making up less than ten percent of new car sales recently.

The CARS Act has garnered support from several other Republican senators including Dan Sullivan, Markwayne Mullin, Tommy Tuberville, Jim Risch, Katie Britt, Ted Budd, Pete Ricketts, Roger Marshall, Steve Daines, Kevin Cramer, Joni Ernst, Deb Fischer, John Barrasso, Ted Cruz, Rick Scott, John Hoeven, Jim Justice, Shelley Moore Capito and Cynthia Lummis.