Featured Would there have even been a Prius?

Yes, ending the mandates will not kill hybrids or plug-ins. It will likely cause more gas guzzling SUVs and crossovers on the road, but china and europe will continue to push ahead likely reducing oil demand. That leaves the US in a competitve disadvatte when it comes to auto companies not named tesla with the current tarrif regime. A level playing field would be best, but this on again off again regulation will likely cost many US jobs in the auto sector. These currently changed regulations don't really mean choice as a very few auto companies control the choices we have and prices we pay.

I believe this is a bid to help aramco and russian oil. Not really a good public policy decision. I am against the california 100% ev/fuel cell mandate. Lets level the playing field now that R&D has proven plug-ins are supperior in many ways. Lets not incentivize manufacturers to make less efficient vehicles with artificially low gas prices.

 

What hybrid or PHEV cars do NOT burn gasoline?

 

As I pointed out yesterday, PHEVs of sufficient all-EV range do qualify. The 2026 RAV4 Plug-in meets it.

 

I thought Ferdinand Porsche (the same guy who designed the original VW Beetle and father of the guy who started the Porsche brand of cars) was the one who invented the first hybrid and didn't actually finish the gasoline part of it until after 1900.

 

You seemed to be working under the assumption the past 'EV mandate' and the more recent governor order were to push BEVs only. As that is what some have portrayed it as.

That was never the case.

 

It The reasoning was to eliminate fossil fuels. Remember Biden threatened to put the oil companies out of business in a 2020 debate with Trump?

 

That isn't what he said, only how his opponents misrepresented it.

And this CARB ZEV mandate did not come from Biden's level of government, he was never governor of California. Or Washington State. Or any other CARB state.

 

No. Got a transcript?

Then what policies did Biden pursue in that supposed goal of putting oil companies out of business? US crude production was higher under him than the previous administration. US Crude Oil: Production, 1960 – 2025 | CEIC Data

California and the other CARB states aren't federal level activities. Without those state level support, you wouldn't be driving a hybrid today.