(ST. PAUL, MN)– Today, the Minnesota Consumer Choice of Fuel Act continued its movement through the Minnesota Senate. The legislation co-authored by Senator Paul Gazelka (R-East Gull Lake) would ensure that Minnesota citizens maintain the freedom to choose what kind of vehicle they purchase and drive.

“Last year, Governor Walz moved forward with his California Cars Mandate despite strong opposition from the public,” Senator Gazelka said. “His shortsightedness and strong-arming might have appeased his environmental activists but disregarded the enormous negative toll it would on poor and rural Minnesotans.”

“While we all want to preserve the environment, Walz’s plan fails to work with consumers and businesses to encourage change, opting instead to punish them. Now, with the economy already in a precarious position, Walz continues to move forward with his burdensome plan subjecting consumers to higher prices and building towards a future where Minnesota significantly hamstrings anyone who relies on tractors, trucks, and other non-EVs for work.”

This bill comes in response to the California Cars mandate implemented by Governor Walz. Officially adopted in May of 2021 and set to be enacted in 2025, Walz’s plan would require a specific number of electric vehicles to be bought and sold in the state. Based on California’s air quality regulations, the burdensome Minnesota mandate disregards the needs of Minnesotan citizens. 

About the Minnesota Consumer Choice of Fuel:

·       The bill focuses on prohibiting mandates that restrict consumer choice when it comes to motor vehicles, directly targeting the Minnesota zero-emissions vehicle (ZEV) mandate;

·       The bill states that all state agencies cannot restrict consumer choice based on the kind of fuel a vehicle or machine uses;

o   The bill focuses on adding and maintaining fuel choice in all motorized vehicles and equipment, including generators, lawnmowers, pressure washers, snowmobiles, golf carts, motorcycles, and watercraft.

o   This will directly protect against the potential to adopt the California Air Resources Board’s (CARB) rule for off-road engines;

·       The bill will also prohibit mandated inventory for vehicle and equipment retailers in Minnesota, protecting the level of consumers’ choice that citizens have been used to in the state;

·       The bill aims to keep local governments in check by making sure they cannot set standards of air quality requirements that are stricter than the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency