H.R.2165 - Choice in Automobile Retail Sales Act of 2025 (119th Congress)
Summary
H.R.2165, the Choice in Automobile Retail Sales Act of 2025, aims to amend the Clean Air Act to prevent tailpipe regulations from limiting the availability of new motor vehicles. Specifically, it prohibits regulations issued after January 1, 2021, from mandating specific technologies or limiting vehicle availability based on engine type. The bill requires the EPA Administrator to revise existing regulations to conform to these new provisions within 24 months of enactment.
The bill is intended to ensure consumer choice in the automotive market and prevent the EPA from effectively banning certain types of vehicles through regulation. It seeks to protect the availability of traditional combustion engine vehicles alongside newer technologies like electric vehicles.
The bill was introduced in the House of Representatives and referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce.
Expected Effects
If enacted, this bill would limit the EPA's ability to regulate the automotive industry by preventing mandates for specific technologies and ensuring a variety of vehicle options remain available to consumers. This could lead to a slower transition to electric vehicles and other alternative fuel technologies.
Automakers would have more flexibility in the types of vehicles they produce and sell. The EPA would need to revise existing regulations to comply with the new requirements.
Potential Benefits
- Preserves consumer choice in the types of vehicles available for purchase.
- Prevents potential job losses in industries related to traditional combustion engine vehicles.
- Reduces the risk of the EPA effectively banning certain types of vehicles through regulation.
- Provides automakers with greater flexibility in their production strategies.
- Could potentially lower the cost of new vehicles by preventing mandates for expensive technologies.
Most Benefited Areas:
Potential Disadvantages
- May slow down the transition to cleaner vehicle technologies and reduce efforts to combat climate change.
- Could lead to higher levels of air pollution and associated health problems.
- May hinder innovation in the development of electric vehicles and other alternative fuel technologies.
- Could put the U.S. at a disadvantage in the global market for electric vehicles.
- May conflict with international agreements and commitments related to climate change.
Most Disadvantaged Areas:
Constitutional Alignment
The bill's alignment with the Constitution is complex. Congress has the power to regulate interstate commerce (Article I, Section 8), which includes environmental regulations affecting the automotive industry. However, the bill also touches on issues related to environmental protection and potential impacts on public health, areas where the balance between federal power and state autonomy is often debated.
The bill does not appear to infringe on any specific individual rights or liberties protected by the Bill of Rights. The core constitutional question revolves around the extent of federal power to regulate environmental matters and the potential impact on states' rights.
The bill's restrictions on EPA regulations could be seen as an attempt by Congress to reassert its authority over environmental policy, which is within its legislative purview.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).