Thousands of SEMA Members Oppose California Mandate Banning New Gas-Powered Vehicle Sales

SEMA Members and industry consumers send EPA over 5,000 letters in opposition to ACC II Waiver

DIAMOND BAR, CA – March 5, 2024 – (Motor Sports NewsWire) – Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) member companies and automotive enthusiasts have come out in strong opposition to the California Air Resources Board’s (CARB) “Advanced Clean Cars II” (ACC II) regulation that would ban the sale of new internal combustion engine motor vehicles by 2035. Specialty aftermarket businesses and industry supporters sent over 5,000 letters to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) expressing opposition to the agency providing California a Clean Air Act waiver, which is required in order for ACC II to take effect. Industry and enthusiasts alike have united in opposition to California’s Zero Emissions Vehicle (ZEV) mandate that would adversely impact automotive businesses, their employees, and millions of automotive enthusiasts.

The letters, part of the EPA’s official public comment period as the agency considers granting California a waiver to allow the ban on new gas-powered vehicles, convey the impact of what effectively is a national mandate would have on small businesses in the automotive aftermarket industry. Since 17 other states have historically followed all or part of California’s low-emission and zero-emission vehicle regulations, the waiver allowing the state to ban the sale of non-ZEV vehicles would have a harmful effect on the U.S. economy and nearly half the country’s population that resides in the affected states. ACC II, if implemented, would devastate small businesses that manufacture and sell performance and accessory products that upgrade ICE engines and drivetrains, a key segment of the industry that contributes $112 billion annually to the U.S. economy.

SEMA is committed to playing a central role in helping our members reduce carbon emissions through continued advancements in vehicle technology. However, the association strongly opposes government mandates that prohibit or limit the sale of ICE vehicles and select electrification as the technology of choice. In January, SEMA President and CEO Mike Spagnola, along with several SEMA members, testified at the EPA’s public hearing to express opposition to granting California a waiver to implement ACC II. During his testimony, Spagnola stressed that ACC II would significantly disrupt automotive supply chains and eliminate tens of thousands of jobs in vehicle…