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Not long ago, Republicans and Democrats were able to find common ground in clean air and water. But we are in the dark right now.
We are far from the days when conservative heroes Richard Nixon and Ronald Reagan signed the Clean Air Act in 1970 and the Montreal Protocol in 1987.
Instead, this week Senate Republicans will use Congressional review laws illegally to undermine California's work and keep the air air ventilated. Eliminating California's clean air exemption is an attack on decades of work that began in earnest in 1967 when then-Governor Reagan established the state's Air Resources Commission.
Senate GOP vows to end the Biden EPA exemption granted to push drivers up to EV cars
California's clean air standards, which 17 other states chose to follow, have encouraged American auto companies to innovate and become competitive worldwide.
Global electric vehicle sales rose 35% in the first quarter of 2025. This is driven primarily by the increase in affordable prices of electrical models. American companies pioneered here in California have developed electric vehicles, but risk losing their benefits in global markets.
China is currently the global EV manufacturing hub responsible for more than 70% of global production, with China's imports accounting for three-quarters of the increase in EV sales in all emerging economies other than China in 2024. Meanwhile, the US has become a net importer of electric vehicles. Instead of turning that around, Republicans and some automotive industry leaders have given up.
For over 50 years, California has been working with the automotive industry on reasonable and cost-effective air quality standards. Up until now they have been good partners.
Overturning standards for promoting American manufacturing innovation will destroy the scaffolding they have made in this market. And then the death of legacy automakers in the US, thousands of good-paid manufacturing jobs.
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Republicans decided that clean air and good work were not a priority. It is unclear what is important to them, but it certainly isn't American workers.
In 2021, Ford will unveil its $5.8 billion battery manufacturing campus in Glendale, Kentucky, adding nearly 5,000 new jobs. In 2023, Toyota said it was investing $8 billion (now close to $14 billion) in clean vehicles, batteries and energy storage projects in Liberty, North Carolina, and is expected to create 3,000 jobs in the Republican district.
These investments came as Clean Car policies succeeded in keeping these companies competitive globally and doing better for these American communities. What will they do now?
Republicans want to cut off the driving force behind this progress, even if it means stopping investment in their districts. If you lose this battle, you will not only lose leadership in California's clean cars, but you will also lose future races.
California's Clean Car Rules are an important test case for the US Clean Vehicle Strategy in the 21st century. That's why automakers are ultimately investing in electricity. It's a way to reduce pollution and build a market that reflects our values. And that's how we protect this country from economic tsunamis.
If Republicans succeed in stealing our standards, we are clearing up the way for China to dominate the global automotive market. Last year, Chinese manufacturer BYD Automotive debuted the Seagull Model, a luxurious EV called the “Lamborghini Mini,” for $9,700. We have set up a whole new bar in the EV and automotive markets as a whole. If Republicans are folded, streets in Asia, Europe and Africa will be dominated by such affordable Chinese models, not by the American ones.
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Republicans say plans that prevent the state from pushing American auto companies to get better is a loss to the country. American car companies are a big deal. Workers will suffer.
The air we breathe and our economy are at risk. As California has shown over and over again, there are better ways to do it – clean air, good work, and another century of innovation and economic prosperity.
