The United States has barred the state of California from introducing rules to end the sale of petrol and diesel cars from 2035, despite similarities to the UK's Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) mandate.
The US House of Representatives has voted to ban California from moving forward with rules around the sale of new "gasoline-only" vehicles by 2035.
Under former President Joe Biden, the US Environmental Protection Agency gave the green light to California to mandate that at least 80 per cent of vehicles must be electric by the middle of the next decade.
Governor Gavin Newsom argued that the rules were essential to cutting pollution, despite backlash from car brands, saying that the measures were not feasible.
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The future of the Californian electric vehicle plan could be under threat
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Newsom added that the plan was critical to combating the rise of Chinese electric vehicles and the threat they pose to traditional manufacturers in the United States.
He added: "Big polluters and the right-wing propaganda machine have succeeded in buying off the Republican Party," Reuters reported.
The Alliance for Automotive Innovation, which represents brands including General Motors, Toyota, Volkswagen, Hyundai and more, welcomed the move.
They warned that they could be "forced to substantially reduce the number of overall vehicles for sale to inflate their proportion of electric vehicles sales".
Sir Keir Starmer confirmed changes to the ZEV mandate in April
PA
California's rules stated that 35 per cent of light-duty vehicles manufactured in 2026 ned to be zero emission, with a further aim for EVs to represent 68 per cent of new vehicle sales by the end of the decade.
The decision from the US House of Representatives could have far-reaching consequences since 11 other states have adopted the California Air Resources Board rules.
This includes New York, Massachusetts and Oregon, which account for around 40 per cent of the US automotive market.
The decision to repeal the rules was passed with a vote of 246-164, although experts have noted that the Senate may not be as supportive of the decision, which would ultimately end up on President Donald Trump's desk.
The Californian Zero-Emission Vehicle Program was cited in the UK Department for Transport's ZEV mandate Joint Government Response Cost Benefit Analysis document published in October 2023.
It highlighted how California charges manufacturers $5,000 (£3,762) per credit deficit, with up to four credits per vehicle.
Between 2026 and 2035, car manufacturers are set to be charged $20,000 (£15,048) per ZEV value deficit, which would have a huge impact on manufacturers.
Labour recently responded to a landmark consultation on the terms of the ZEV mandate, which confirmed that hybrid vehicles will remain on sale until 2035, and small manufacturers will remain exempt.
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Keir Starmer said the changes to the ZEV mandate would support British manufacturers
PA
Prime Minister Keir Starmer said firms would be given greater freedom on how to meet targets, easing pressure on a sector which has dealt with changing market conditions in recent years.
Starmer added: "I am determined to back British brilliance. Now more than ever UK businesses and working people need a Government that steps up, not stands aside.
"This will help ensure home-grown firms can export British cars built by British workers around the world and the industry can look forward with confidence, as well as back with pride."
