Michelle Fischbach, the representative for Minnesota’s 7th District, said California’s electric vehicle mandate is “outrageous and dangerous,” claiming it disregards rural realities and puts strain on consumers and infrastructure.
“California’s push to ban gas-powered vehicles is outrageous and proves how little they understand the rest of America,” said Fischbach. “A person cannot get across the wide rural areas of my district in western Minnesota in the winter in a fully electric vehicle. The mandate would also increase car prices nationwide and strain our electric grid. Not only does this mandate dramatically limit consumer choice, but it is also dangerous.”
According to MPR News, in January 2023, the Minnesota Court of Appeals upheld the state’s “Clean Car Rule,” which aligns Minnesota’s vehicle emission standards with California’s regulations. The rule aims to increase the availability of electric and hybrid vehicles in Minnesota, starting with the 2025 model year. The court concluded that the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency acted within its statutory authority in adopting these standards.
As reported by CBS News, the Clean Car Rule includes two components: the Low-Emission Vehicle (LEV) standard, which requires new gas-powered vehicles to be more fuel-efficient, and the Zero-Emission Vehicle (ZEV) standard, mandating that manufacturers offer more electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles for sale in Minnesota. These standards are intended to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and provide consumers with more vehicle choices. The rule does not ban the sale of new gasoline-powered vehicles.
According to Fox9, while Minnesota has adopted California’s emission standards, state officials have clarified that California’s planned phaseout of gasoline-powered cars by 2035 will not automatically apply in Minnesota. Any move to adopt such a ban would require a separate rulemaking process within the state. Currently, there are no immediate plans to implement a similar ban in Minnesota.
Fischbach serves Minnesota’s 7th District, a vast rural region stretching from the Canadian border to near Iowa. A former Minnesota Senate President and Lieutenant Governor, she has championed agriculture, conservative values, and rural interests throughout her legislative career. Fischbach holds degrees from St. Cloud State University and William Mitchell College of Law and resides on a hobby farm with her husband, children, and grandchildren.
