Kamala Harris claims to be an automotive libertarian

“Contrary to what my opponent claims, I will never dictate what kind of car you should drive,” the vice president said during a recent campaign stop in Michigan. However, she does support regulations that would significantly alter the production balance between gas-powered and electric vehicles in the U.S., regardless of consumer preference.
The Biden-Harris administration has been working to reshape the U.S. car market to align with its goals. In 2023, the EPA proposed regulations aiming for electric vehicles (EVs) to make up as much as 67% of new light vehicle sales by 2032. The target was later adjusted to 56% EVs, with another 13% being hybrids, leaving less than 30% for gas-powered cars.
Why a government agency is allowed to dictate such precise market outcomes years in advance is another question. The EPA is using emissions limits to pressure automakers to meet these targets, effectively forcing a shift away from gas cars. Compliance isn’t optional—automakers who fail to meet the standards will face penalties, regardless of consumer or industry preferences.
Despite Kamala Harris’ assurances to Michigan voters that she won’t tell them what car to drive, the administration is clearly limiting consumer choice. The approach is comparable to saying that while most people prefer cars in popular colors like white, gray, or black, in a few years, more than half the market will be filled with cars in colors like green or red. Or, while Toyota, Ford, Chevrolet, and Honda are the top-selling brands now, the market could soon be flooded with less popular brands like Mazda or Volkswagen.

Currently, EVs account for less than 10% of U.S. vehicle sales, making the administration’s goal of exceeding 50% by 2032 seem overly ambitious—perhaps even more so than Soviet five-year plans. Adding to the challenge is the underdeveloped charging infrastructure, which isn’t on track to support such a surge in EVs anytime soon.
This stance marks a shift for Harris, who previously supported aggressive policies to phase out gas-powered cars. Back in 2019, she co-sponsored a bill aiming for 100% zero-emissions vehicles by 2040 and, during her 2020 presidential run, pushed for an even faster transition by 2035. Given her past positions, she might now say, “I will never again tell you what car to drive.”
The fact remains: many consumers prefer gas-powered cars for their convenience, reliability, and affordability. Whether they eventually embrace electric vehicles on a large scale should be determined by market forces, not government mandates. However, the EPA’s current strategy suggests the administration is intent on moving Americans away from gas cars, regardless of consumer sentiment.
Kamala Harris’ commitment to “choice” in vehicles appears to have its limits.