Trump Signs Law Targeting California’s EV Regulations
President Donald Trump has recently enacted legislation to discontinue California’s electric vehicle (EV) emissions initiative and has outlined intentions to prohibit new wind turbine installations.
During a press event on Thursday, Trump claimed this move would “safeguard the US automotive industry from collapse,” specifically addressing California’s goal to transition nearly all new vehicles to electric by 2035.
At the White House, he mentioned three bills he signed, asserting, “I’m pleased to put an end to California’s mandates.” He added that the EV regulations were, in his view, something California couldn’t enforce anymore.
“There’s nothing they can do about it; they can’t challenge it legally, and it’s set in stone,” he stated. He also pointed out the confusion among automakers due to regulations affecting 17 states, suggesting it was making car production difficult.
California’s initiatives mandated that all new vehicles sold in the state be “zero-emission” by 2035, requiring manufacturers to offer at least 80% EVs, with some allowances for plug-in hybrids.
However, recent statistics reveal that only 23% of new vehicles sold in California in early 2025 were classified as “zero-emission,” a rate that still surpasses the national average but reflects challenges in the EV market.
“Sales have faced challenges, with about 23% of all new cars sold in California being zero-emission this past quarter,” a source commented.
Trump also touched on other goals in his speech, urging support for nuclear energy while voicing opposition to wind turbines, which he claimed would likely face cuts under his administration.
Despite comments about modern wind technologies, Trump has often made disparaging remarks about wind energy. At a Republican dinner in 2019, he expressed that living near windmills could drastically decrease property values.
“If you have a windmill near your house, your property value has dropped by 75%. There are claims that noise from these turbines can cause cancer,” he revealed during his remarks.
He elaborated further on his disdain for wind mills, stating, “We’re not going to build any more. We can’t afford to ruin our country more than it already is.” He described landscapes being cluttered with aging and malfunctioning turbines.
“If you visit Palm Springs, just look around. It’s a beautiful area ruined by these towers, some in various states of disrepair,” he declared.
Trump has also pointed out that wind turbines can pose risks to wildlife, claiming they can harm birds, bats, and even whales, citing various studies and expert opinions. He warned about loud noise produced during turbine construction, suggesting it could lead to whale deaths.
Conversely, some scientists have argued that issues facing whale populations are primarily due to entanglement in fishing gear, not wind energy developments.
Proponents of wind energy maintain that it serves as a clean energy alternative that can help reduce carbon emissions.
