Preserving Choice in Vehicle Purchases Act of 2025
Summary
SB 996, the “Preserving Choice in Vehicle Purchases Act of 2025,” would amend the Clean Air Act’s state waiver provisions to bar EPA from treating any state air-quality standard as valid if it directly or indirectly limits the sale or use of new motor vehicles with internal combustion engines. In practical terms, the bill is aimed at state policies that phase out gasoline-powered cars and trucks, and it would prevent EPA from approving future state standards that function as ICE-vehicle sales bans.
The bill also directs EPA to revoke certain waivers granted between January 1, 2022, and the date of enactment if the agency determines those waivers are inconsistent with the new prohibition. The measure is framed as preserving consumer choice in vehicle purchases, but it would significantly narrow state authority under Clean Air Act waiver provisions, especially for states that have adopted or sought to adopt zero-emission vehicle mandates or similar transition policies.
Impact
SB 996 would amend Section 209(b) of the Clean Air Act, limiting EPA’s ability to approve or recognize state standards that restrict internal combustion engine vehicles and requiring revocation of certain recently granted waivers. This would affect state-level emissions and vehicle sales policies, particularly in states pursuing aggressive electric-vehicle transition rules, and would constrain the regulatory authority of state environmental agencies and the EPA’s waiver review process.
Sentiment
The bill appears to have support among Senate Republicans, as reflected by its introduction by Senator Mullin with a large group of Republican cosponsors. The title and framing suggest a pro-consumer, anti-mandate position centered on preserving vehicle choice. No committee transcript or vote record is available here, so there is no evidence of broader bipartisan support or formal opposition in the provided materials, but the substance of the bill indicates it is likely to be controversial among supporters of state clean-vehicle mandates.
Contention
The main point of contention is federal versus state authority over vehicle emissions and sales standards. Supporters are likely to argue that states should not be able to effectively ban gasoline-powered vehicles and that consumers should retain access to internal combustion engine cars. Opponents, likely including states with zero-emission mandates and environmental advocates, would view the bill as undermining state clean-air initiatives and restricting states’ ability to tailor pollution-control policies to local conditions. The revocation of existing waivers granted since 2022 is also likely to be a major flashpoint because it would retroactively affect already-approved state programs.
Restoring Vehicle Market Freedom Act of 2025This bill repeals federal tax credits for the purchase of certain clean vehicles (generally electric vehicles, plug-in hybrid vehicles, and fuel cell vehicles) and certain vehicle refueling property.Specifically, the bill repeals the federal tax credits forthe purchase of a qualified used clean vehicle (tax credit of up to $4,000 for the purchase of a previously-owned clean vehicle before 2033),the purchase of a qualified new clean vehicle (tax credit of up to $7,500 for the purchase of a new clean vehicle before 2033),the purchase of a qualified commercial clean vehicle (business tax credit of up to $40,000 for the purchase of a commercial clean vehicle before 2033), andalternative fuel vehicle refueling property (tax credit of up to $1,000 for individuals or up to $100,000 for businesses for the installation of property before 2033 used to store or dispense clean-burning fuel or to recharge electric vehicles).