US President Donald Trump announced Thursday the scrapping of California's landmark mandate to phase out gas-powered cars in favor of electric vehicles, saying he wanted to save the auto industry from "destruction."
The move, a rebuke of Democratic climate change policies, comes as the state planned to end the sale of gasoline-only vehicles by 2035 among other ambitious efforts.
Trump lashed out at California's bid as "a disaster for this country" and said resolutions he was set to sign will "kill, totally kill" the electric vehicle mandate.
This would mark a victory for automakers pushing against California's rules, but a hit to environmental groups who say the rules are key for easing pollution.
Trump has repeatedly criticized subsidies to encourage the EV industry despite significant federal funding allocated to projects in Republican districts—where thousands of jobs are expected to be created.
He took aim at the sector as part of his flurry of executive orders on his first day in office this January in a bid to ensure what he called a "level" playing field for gasoline-powered motors.
With AFP
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