Democrats downplayed their climate absolutism in the midterm election campaign, but don't think they've given up on outlawing gas-powered cars. The California Air Resources Board is now forcing Disneyland to electrify the kiddy cars in its miniature motorway Autopia attraction.
Auto makers have scaled back electric-vehicle production since the Trump Administration has eased fuel economy mandates and Republicans scrapped subsidies for EVs in last year's tax bill. Congress also repealed a California mandate requiring all new cars sold in the state to be electric by 2035. Yet the EV utopians in Sacramento remain undeterred.
In 2024 CARB dunned Disney $56,250 for allegedly failing to obtain proper certification for modified gas engines in its mini race-cars that run on a track. Never mind that these aren't real cars and contribute almost nothing to pollution or CO2 emissions. To satisfy CARB, Disney has agreed to electrify the fleet by early next year, which will require redesigning the ride at who knows what cost.
CARB's broadside against Disney provides another reason for Republicans to pass a Congressional Review Act resolution during the lame-duck session to overturn an Environmental Protection Agency waiver that lets California regulate emissions from vessels like ferries and tugboats. On current course, CARB might try to require Disneyland to electrify its Mark Twain Riverboat too.
Another CRA would overturn a California rule requiring ships to plug into the state grid or install embryonic emissions technology. The Pacific Merchant Shipping Association raised alarms last month after CARB's mandated technology resulted in a port accident that nearly killed several workers. Does CARB believe in test-driving technology before mandating it?
Meantime, Democrats plan to push for a restoration of EV tax credits, though the market has adjusted without them. EV sales are down 30% compared to last year but are still higher than in 2022. The biggest beneficiary of EV subsidies and mandates was none other than Elon Musk's Tesla, which made billions of dollars selling regulatory compliance credits to other auto makers. Tesla credit sales have crashed 85% since 2024.
Democrats will use their budget leverage next year to get President Trump to restore EV subsidies and mandates. If that fails, they'll bet on a revival in 2029. The party is as dogmatic as ever that Americans must be coerced to accept its climate commands.
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