The changing landscape in Washington, D.C., will have a trickle-down impact on policies and regulations state governments implement. One area where we will likely see friction between the federal government and state governments will center on electric vehicles and the survival of the internal combustion engine.

A flash point in this area will be how and if states decide to link their policies to those enacted by the state of California. A recent story out of Oregon caught our attention and should serve as a warning about what may be coming down the road.

Daimler Truck North America (DTNA) announced it is pausing sales of internal combustion engines in Oregon. In their press release, DTNA cited uncertainty around Oregon’s Advanced Clean Truck rule. What’s troubling about the move is that DTNA is doing so because they believe Oregon is implementing parts of the new rule differently than how California has proceeded. This is important because federal law allows states like Oregon to copy California’s emissions rules. Yet, in this case, Oregon appears to be making its own emissions policies.

All those committed to preserving the internal combustion engine should understand how state and federal laws are evolving. If states like Oregon can create mandates, we could see an expanding battleground. A patchwork of laws and rules would create problems and confusion for manufacturers and consumers.

The fight to allow consumers options regarding their engine choice is heating up. The Motorcycle Riders Foundation is engaged in this fight in D.C. and you must remain active back home.

Wednesday morning, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) granted California a requested waiver to implement new emissions standards on some vehicles. With this decision, California has the authority to activate its plan and phase out the sale of gas-powered cars and light-duty trucks in the state by 2035. 

This waiver had been awaiting approval since May 2023 but was signed off on just a month before President Biden leaves office. A Trump spokesperson said earlier this week that the president-elect has “a mandate to implement the promises he made on the campaign trail, including stopping attacks on gas-powered cars.”

The incoming Trump Administration will have the power to revoke this new waiver. However, the process of doing so can be lengthy and ultimately could be overturned in future years by a different presidential administration.

Thankfully for motorcyclists, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) withdrew a similar plan that would require half of new motorcycles sold in the state to be electric in the next ten years. That motorcycle proposal would also have required a waiver. However, because of the timing of the California motorcycle plan, any waiver would have been considered by a Trump lead EPA.

A former CARB board member said of the decision to withdraw the motorcycle rules, “With the EPA waiver virtually guaranteed to be denied, pushing forward would have risked wasting political capital and alienating key stakeholders.”

The changing political landscape in Washington, D.C., is impacting a variety of issues that we as bikers care about. The Motorcycle Riders Foundation remains engaged and fighting for the policies that affect you as a motorcyclist.

This week, House Republicans selected Congressman Sam Graves of Missouri to lead the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. Representative Graves is not new to the committee, he previously served 3 terms and 6 years as both the Chairman and Ranking Member of the committee.

However, Rep. Graves leading this committee for a 4th term and 2 more years is unique. House Republican rules normally limit leadership of committees to 3 terms and 6 years. Yet, Mr. Graves sought and was granted a “waiver” to extend his term. It is extremely rare for a waiver to be granted, signaling the importance Republicans in the House place on transportation policy.

For the Motorcycle Riders Foundation, (MRF) the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee is critical. Along with counterparts in the U.S. Senate, the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee plays a major role in shaping policy that impacts all bikers.  We will soon begin drafting a new “Highway Bill.” This bill is the best opportunity for bikers to shape policy that impacts us. The current highway bill will expire in 2026, so the next two years will be busy for transportation policy.

The MRF looks forward to working with Chairman Graves and all his colleagues. Regardless of who holds the reins of power in D.C., the MRF will ALWAYS be the voice of the street rider in our nation’s capital. 

Friday, in a dramatic move, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) announced they would not be proceeding with proposed standards requiring half of all new motorcycles sold in the state be electric within the next decade. In a statement, CARB said, “The proposed amendments to on-road motorcycles (ONMC) emission standards and test procedures and adoption of new provisions relating to ONMCs have been withdrawn.”

This is a major victory for those who believe consumers should be free to choose whatever engine type they want. This move to withdraw the proposed plan comes after two hearings, one in January and one in October on this topic were canceled.

The Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF) is pleased by CARB's decision to withdraw its plan to mandate the sale of electric motorcycles. MRF President, Kirk “Hardtail” Willard stated, “It’s nice to see policymakers admit a mistake and withdraw a plan that was flawed from the outset.” He also added a note of caution, “Let’s remember CARB reserves the right to adjust, amend and resubmit similar plans like this in the future. We won a battle, but the war rages on. We must stay vigilant, in defense of the internal combustion engine.”

Monday evening President-elect Donald Trump named former Congressman Sean Duffy as his nominee for the U.S. Secretary of Transportation. Before resigning his seat in 2019, Representative Duffy was elected five (5) times to represent the 7th congressional district of Wisconsin.

Mr. Duffy will head a department that oversees agencies of critical importance to motorcyclists, including the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Federal Highway Administration (FHA).

In the next two years, Congress must consider a new surface transportation authorization (AKA Highway Bill). Additionally, there remains the need for policymakers to balance new construction and maintenance priorities with the ever-dwindling dollars allocated for transportation projects.

Upon his confirmation, the Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF) looks forward to working with the new Secretary on our legislative priorities. His long track record in Congress working with groups like the MRF and ABATE of Wisconsin will hopefully enlighten his decision-making on issues that impact the millions of bikers on the road.

This afternoon Senate Republicans elected Senator John Thune of South Dakota the new Senate Majority Leader. Senator Thune is the former Motorcycle Riders Foundation 2018 Legislative Champion of the Year. He has been a longtime advocate for many of our priorities and has a strong relationship with the bikers in South Dakota.
 
Senate Majority Leader is an extremely powerful position. The leader helps set the agenda and shape all policy debates in the U.S. Senate. The Republicans taking control of the Senate means the current Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer of New York must step aside. This is also a dramatic change for Senate Republican leadership, as Senator Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, who previously led the Republican Senate is leaving his post in leadership after a record 18 years.
 
Congratulations to Senator Thune and motorcyclists in South Dakota! We look forward to working together to protect the rights of the millions of riders across this country.

This afternoon, less than 90 minutes before a scheduled hearing, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) announced the postponement of that hearing. The public hearing was focused on an electric motorcycle initiative that would require half of new motorcycles sold in the state be electric in the next 10 years.  Since the initial proposal was released, motorcycle manufacturers have consistently warned that they do not believe a market exists for electric motorcycles at these target levels. 

You may remember that this is not the first time the intended hearing on this topic has been delayed. Earlier this year, in January, four days before an identical hearing, CARB announced a similar postponement. However, this delay occurring on the day of the hearing is an interesting turn of events. 

The Motorcycle Riders Foundation has been and remains committed to protecting the internal combustion engine. We believe consumers should have the choice to buy bikes with their preferred engine type. 

We will continue to monitor events out of California and will track any future hearings as they are announced. 

Last week, a dozen bipartisan members of the House of Representatives sent a letter to Sophie Shulman, the Acting Administrator of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) expressing concerns about Tesla’s Full Self-Driving and Autopilot software. The letter highlights concerns regarding “An alarming pattern of Teslas with Autopilot engaged causing fatal accidents with motorcyclists, bicyclists and stopped emergency vehicles.”

The lawmakers seek two remedies from NHTSA. First, improved crash reporting, including allowing other road users, such as motorcyclists, to report crashes to NHTSA. Second, enforcing restrictions on where and when autopilot systems can be activated.

The Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF) worked in conjunction with the Dawn Project on this letter from Congress. The Dawn Project’s mission is to make sure computers are safe for humanity, by making certain that safety-critical software systems never fail and are not hackable.

The MRF would like to thank our members who contacted their representatives about the letter. Additionally, we are grateful to Representative Anne McLane Kuster of New Hampshire who helped lead this effort as well as the additional 11 members of Congress whose signatures appear on the letter:

Rep. Julia Brownley (CA)
Rep. Salud Carbajal (CA)
Rep. Steve Cohen (TN)
Rep. Debbie Dingell (MI)
Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (PA)
Rep. Jesus “Chuy” Garcia (IL)
Rep. Jared Huffman (CA)
Rep. Hank Johnson (GA)
Rep. Seth Moulton (MA)
Rep. Grace Napolitano (CA)
Rep. Chris Pappas (NH)

Fears are increasing that guardrails and other safety features will not be able to withstand the increased weight of electric vehicles. Roadways have been designed to account for vehicles weighing 5,000 lbs. However, new electric vehicles can far exceed that weight.

Cody Stolle, a University of Nebraska associate professor studying guardrail performance, said, "Unfortunately, these guardrail systems, which have performed very well with gasoline vehicles historically, do not appear to be containing electric vehicles when impacting [in] similar types of conditions."

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) announced it would investigate Tesla’s Autopilot system. The research will examine whether the technology can detect and respond effectively to reduced visibility on roadways. NHTSA is concerned the technology is hampered by sun glare, fog and airborne dust. Four recent crashes have shined a light on this problem.