New Bill Scraps 2027 Car Emission Standards, Restricts EPA from Mandating Cleaner Tech

The newly introduced Choice in Automobile Retail Sales Act of 2025 is a major move that directly targets federal environmental regulation of vehicles. Simply put, this bill immediately cancels a key rule the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) finalized just recently: the "Multi-Pollutant Emissions Standards for Model Years 2027 and Later Light-Duty and Medium-Duty Vehicles." That rule was supposed to kick in and tighten the screws on tailpipe pollution for new cars and trucks starting in 2027. Now, it’s off the books (SEC. 2).

Hitting the Brakes on Regulation

Beyond just killing the 2027 standards, the bill fundamentally changes how the EPA can regulate vehicle emissions going forward. Under Section 3, the EPA is now explicitly prohibited from doing two things when setting any new tailpipe rules, including those made after January 1, 2021. First, the agency cannot force car manufacturers to use any specific technology to meet the emission standards. Second, the rules cannot, even indirectly, limit the number of new cars available based on the type of engine they use—meaning gas, diesel, or electric (SEC. 3).

Think of it this way: the EPA can still say, "Your car can only emit X amount of pollution," but they can no longer say, "To achieve X, you must use a catalytic converter of type Y," or "You must sell Z number of electric vehicles." This takes the teeth out of the agency’s ability to push the market toward cleaner options. For the manufacturer, this means more flexibility and potentially lower initial compliance costs, but for people living near major roadways, it means the cleaner air they were promised in 2027 may be delayed indefinitely.

The Two-Year Regulatory Cleanup

Because this new law restricts the EPA's power, the agency isn't just done; they have homework. The EPA Administrator has 24 months from the date this Act becomes law to review and update all current regulations to make sure they comply with the new restrictions (SEC. 3). This means the EPA has to go back and scrub any existing rules that might be interpreted as technology mandates or as indirectly limiting the availability of gas-powered cars. This regulatory overhaul will certainly consume significant agency resources and could potentially weaken other standing emission rules that rely on specific technology assumptions.

What This Means for Your Commute and Wallet

For the average person, this bill protects the availability of traditional gas-powered cars and trucks. If you were worried about being forced to buy an EV because of federal mandates, this bill ensures that won't happen via EPA regulation. However, the trade-off is air quality. The repealed 2027 standards were designed to clean up the air, particularly in urban areas. By removing these standards and preventing the EPA from pushing for technological advancements, this bill essentially locks in the current level of emissions for longer. This could translate to higher long-term public health costs related to respiratory issues and smog, impacting everyone, especially those in communities already suffering from poor air quality. While manufacturers get regulatory breathing room, the public might end up paying the difference in environmental and health costs.