Proposed Bill Stops EPA From Mandating Specific Engine Tech, Aims to Keep All Car Types Available

The Choice in Automobile Retail Sales Act of 2025 is short, but it packs a punch aimed squarely at federal environmental regulations for cars. Essentially, this bill tells the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to back off when it comes to setting tailpipe emission standards. Specifically, it prohibits the EPA from creating any new rule that either forces car manufacturers to use one specific technology to meet the standards, or limits the number of new vehicles available based on the type of engine they use.

The 'No Tech Mandate' Rule

Think of it this way: The EPA is allowed to set the goal—say, getting pollution down to a certain level—but this bill prevents them from dictating the exact path to get there. Before this Act, the EPA could, in theory, create a rule so strict that the only way to meet it would be to use a specific technology, like electric batteries. Section 2 of this bill makes it clear that the EPA cannot force manufacturers into a single engineering solution. For car companies, this is a huge win for flexibility. It means they can continue to innovate with hybrids, advanced combustion engines, or hydrogen fuel cells without the government pushing them toward a singular, mandated technology.

Keeping All Engines on the Lot

Perhaps the most impactful part for regular drivers is the provision stating that emission rules cannot limit the availability of new vehicles based on their engine type. For someone who relies on a heavy-duty pickup truck for work, or lives in an area where charging infrastructure is non-existent, this provision is designed to ensure that gas-powered, diesel, or hybrid options remain widely available. If you’re a contractor who needs a diesel truck with serious towing capacity, this bill aims to protect your ability to purchase that vehicle, even if emission standards get tighter. The flip side, of course, is that if regulations can’t limit the availability of high-polluting engine types, it makes it much harder to meet ambitious climate goals or improve air quality in crowded cities.

The 24-Month Clock on Existing Rules

This isn't just about new rules; the bill reaches back to existing ones. The EPA Administrator is required to review and update all current regulations within 24 months of this Act becoming law. They have to make sure every single existing rule aligns with the new restrictions against mandating specific technologies or limiting vehicle availability based on engine type. This means that if current EPA rules are already pushing the auto industry heavily toward electrification through performance standards that only EVs can meet, those rules might need to be significantly softened or rewritten to comply with the new law. The real-world impact could be a slowdown in the transition to cleaner vehicles, which ultimately affects air quality and the long-term cost of dealing with climate change.