Senate Republicans Kill California’s Ban on Gas-Powered Cars

The Senate on Thursday blocked California’s landmark plan to phase out the sale of new gasoline-powered vehicles, setting up a legal battle that could shape the electric car market in the United States.

The 51-44 vote was a victory for the oil and gas industry and for Republicans who muscled through the vote by deploying an unusual legislative tactic that Democrats denounced as a “nuclear” option that would affect the way the Senate operates way beyond climate policy.

The only Democrat to vote to block the California policy was Senator Elissa Slotkin of Michigan, whose state is the center of the U.S. auto industry. Michigan’s other Democratic senator, Gary Peters, voted with his party. He is not seeking re-election.

Five other senators — three Republicans and two Democrats — did not vote.

The repeal deals a blow to California’s ambition of accelerating the transition to electric vehicles. But the consequences will ripple across the country. That’s because 11 other states intended to follow California’s plan and stop selling new gas-powered cars by 2035. Together, they account for about 40 percent of the U.S. auto market.

The resolution, which had already been approved by the House, now goes to President Trump’s desk. Mr. Trump, who opposes clean energy and has taken particular umbrage at California’s efforts to reduce the use of fossil fuels, is expected to sign it into law.

California leaders have promised to challenge the Senate vote and try to restore the ban. Standing behind a sign saying, “Trump’s GOP is Making America Smoggy Again” at a news conference in Sacramento, Gov. Gavin Newsom, a Democrat, said repealing the policies would help China in the race to improve vehicle technology.