Report suggests that the Biden administration may grant California a waiver to ban gas-powered cars by 2035.

As President-elect Trump prepares to undo a host of green energy policies next year, the Biden administration is reportedly considering granting California permission to ban new gas-powered cars in the state.

The state of California has established a goal to prohibit the sale of new gasoline-powered vehicles by 2035. However, this objective necessitates an exemption from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) before it can be implemented.

The EPA is reportedly planning to grant a waiver to the state to set stricter emissions standards for electric vehicles than allowed by the federal government, according to the Washington Post, citing several sources briefed on the matter.

The EPA has not yet responded to Planet Chronicle Digital's request for comment, but a spokesperson for the agency stated to POLITICO's E&E News that they are still reviewing the regulation to ensure its decisions are legally sound and long-lasting.

The Supreme Court has rejected a request from oil companies to challenge California's authority to set electric vehicle standards.

The California Air Resources Board requested a waiver from the federal government to mandate that 22% of new cars sold be zero emissions by 2025 and completely phase out gas cars by 2035, due to climate change concerns.

On Monday, the Supreme Court rejected a challenge to the state's waiver requests from conservative states and oil groups who argued that the state lacked legal authority to impose emissions standards.

The EPA's decision to grant California a preemption waiver is legally sound and follows precedent, ensuring clean air protection for millions of people, according to Alice Henderson, director and lead counsel for the Transportation and Clean Air Policy for Environmental Defense Fund.

When Trump assumes office, he plans to specifically target California's EV standards.

In his 2024 presidential campaign, Trump criticized Biden's handling of California's proposed electric vehicle mandate regulations.

"After imposing his job-killing electric vehicle mandate at the federal level, Biden is preparing to destroy the U.S. auto-industry by approving California's waiver request banning the sale of all gasoline-powered cars," Trump campaign national press secretary Karoline Leavitt stated to Planet Chronicle Digital.

Trump, if elected, would revoke federal EV requirements and any waiver issued for California on his first day in office, according to Leitt.

In early December, California officials gathered to devise strategies to safeguard the state against the incoming Trump administration, setting aside $25 million for a legal defense fund to challenge the president-elect's policies.