DIAMOND
BAR, Calif., June 15,
2024 /PRNewswire/ -- SEMA - the Specialty Equipment
Market Association - is deeply disappointed that California's Senate Bill (SB) 301,
legislation aimed at incentivizing the conversion of gas and
diesel-powered cars into Zero Emission Vehicles (ZEVs), was vetoed
by California Governor
Gavin Newsom.
"SEMA is profoundly disappointed by
Governor Newsom's lack of foresight in vetoing SB 301."
Authored by California Senator
Anthony Portantino, SB 301 sought to
establish the groundbreaking Zero-Emission Aftermarket Conversion
Project (ZACP) under the California Air Resources Board (CARB).
Despite being lauded as a "Job Creator" by the California Chamber of Commerce and receiving
unanimous support from lawmakers, the bill faced a veto at the
Governor's desk. This program would have provided rebates of up to
$4,000 to California residents undertaking the
conversion of eligible used vehicles, with stringent guidelines
ensuring compliance with safety, range, and affordability
criteria.
This missed opportunity is glaring, especially as California boasts several programs promoting
new ZEV purchases but lacks support for ZEV conversions of existing
gas-powered vehicles. This setback hinders the rollout of a program
that bolsters cleaner air, reduces carbon emissions, and fuels job
growth and economic prosperity statewide.
California's reputation as an
innovation hub rings hollow with this veto. SB301 was poised to be
a catalyst for progress. With over 149,000 jobs and a significant
$40 billion economic impact, the
specialty automotive aftermarket stands as a vital contributor to
California's economy. This bill
represented a chance to supercharge the industry, aligning
seamlessly with the Governor's stated priority of advancing cleaner
vehicles.
"SEMA is profoundly disappointed by Governor Newsom's lack of
foresight in vetoing SB 301," said Mike
Spagnola, SEMA's president and CEO. "This legislation would
have advanced environmental sustainability and leveled the playing
field for aftermarket conversions while fostering innovation,
supporting small businesses, and providing consumers with
affordable and sustainable transportation options."
SEMA remains steadfast in its commitment to advocating for
policies that promote innovation and sustainability within the
automotive industry. While SB 301 may not have secured the
Governor's signature this time, SEMA will continue collaborating
with lawmakers, stakeholders and the community to advance
initiatives that drive innovation.
For inquiries or further information, please contact
Christian Robinson at
christianr@sema.org.
About SEMA
SEMA, the Specialty Equipment Market Association founded in
1963, represents the $51.8 billion
specialty-automotive industry. The industry provides appearance,
performance, comfort, convenience and technology products for
passenger and recreational vehicles. Association resources include
market research, legislative advocacy, training and product
development support, as well as leading trade shows such as the
SEMA Show in Las Vegas, Nev., and
the Performance Racing Industry (PRI) Trade Show in Indianapolis, Ind. For more information, visit
www.sema.org, www.semashow.com, or www.performanceracing.com.
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SOURCE Specialty Equipment Market Association