In September 2020, California Governor Gavin Newsom announced a radical measure which divided politicians, car enthusiasts and ordinary motorists.
The executive order signed by the Democrat will require all new passenger cars and trucks sold in the state to be zero-emission vehicles by 2035, allowing the California Air Resources Board to develop regulations mandating this change.
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These regulations, called Advanced Clean Cars II, have been adopted by 12 U.S. states, including New York, New Jersey, and Washington, DC.
In essence, the state whose car fans and vehicle enthusiasts pioneered automotive cultural phenomena like hot rods and lowriders is drafting stricter rules than those proposed by federal agencies. But one organization is taking action and taking its case to the highest court in the land.
SEMA strikes back
On August 7, the Specialty Equipment Market Association & Performance Racing, Inc. (better known as SEMA) filed an amicus brief with the U.S. Supreme Court.
The brief was filed in connection with the case of Diamond Alternative Energy, LLC v. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), which seeks to investigate the legality of the EPA's decision to allow the state of California to “limit the sale of internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles.”
The association, which represents more than 7,000 members of the “special equipment” auto parts industry, wants the court to review the case. They say the state's “non-technology-neutral” decision to limit sales of gasoline-powered vehicles will have negative effects on an industry that relies heavily on such vehicles.
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SEMA claims that California's mandate “will kill, rather than encourage, innovation that can help produce cleaner, safer cars.” They further note that the mandate will have a ripple effect on industries revolving around the auto parts industry, including motorsports and classic car restoration, which SEMA says “make immeasurable contributions to the nation from a cultural and innovation standpoint.”
“California has already declared the winner of the race and, by extension, begins to exclude the innovations and unique contributions to cleaner vehicles and parts that the aftermarket has been providing for years,” SEMA said.
“The issue raised is important not only to the specialty equipment aftermarket, but to consumers and the general public seeking these innovative products, and as a result, the Court should grant the petition to address it.”
SEMA political movements
SEMA's amicus brief filed with the U.S. Supreme Court is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to its political dealings.
The association representing the aftermarket automotive parts industry has been hard at work spending its money in the political sphere to spread the narrative of the impacts of the Biden-Harris Administration’s so-called “EV mandate” not only on its industry, but also on the “right” of car lovers and everyday car enthusiasts to enjoy the cars they love.
SEMA is behind a newly established organization called Driving force of action; a tax-exempt Super PAC seeking to crush anti-ICE legislation disguised as a “grassroots organization” that is “fighting to defend our freedom to travel by educating voters across the country about what President Biden’s gas-powered car ban will mean for consumers.”
According OpenSecrets dataSEMA, a website that tracks political spending, has given $148,333 to DFA in the current election cycle and is the only donor behind the PAC. So far, they have spent $44,000 on ads critical of the current administration.
The PAC is notably very active on social media channels such as instagram.com/drivingforceaction/”>instagram and tiktokwhere they produce short videos and digestible memes about the so-called “gas car ban,” which is actually a tightening of emissions restrictions.
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“(The Biden-Harris administration) is not calling for a complete ban, of course, but they are demanding such strict emissions that the end result is still the same,” said car maker Jordan Taylor, aka Shipbox Garage, in a video co-produced by Driving Force Action.
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However, the special interest group has already declared victory.
In June 2024, Governor Glenn Youngkin said Virginia would move away from emissions standards set by the California Air Resources Board (CARB), insisting the choice was a matter of freedom for its residents and declaring the Commonwealth's “independence” from pesky emissions officials outside Virginia's borders.
The Commonwealth previously adopted California's standards under the leadership of Democrat Ralph Northam after its House of Delegates and state Senate approved the measure in 2021.
“The idea that the government should tell people what kind of car they can and cannot buy is fundamentally flawed,” Youngkin said.
“Virginia residents deserve the freedom to choose which vehicles best fit the needs of their families and businesses. The law is clear, and I'm proud to announce that Virginians will no longer be forced to live under this out-of-touch policy.”
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