(From left to right) West Virginia State Senator Chris Rose, West Virginia State Senator Mark Maynard, Tierra Hubbard of SEMA/PRI and West Virginia State Senator Ben Queen.
 

In a major victory for vehicle choice, West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey recently signed into law SB 573, a landmark automotive bill strongly supported by PRI and SEMA which prohibits the state from limiting the use, sale, or purchase of motor vehicles based on their energy source. The new law effectively blocks potential future bans on internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles.

SEMA and PRI's position on electric vehicle (EV) mandates is clear: innovation should be driven by consumer choice and industry ingenuity, not by restrictive government mandates. The government, therefore, should remain technology-neutral.

West Virginia's law is a significant win for the motorsports industry. It ensures that businesses can continue to develop and sell performance- and emissions-related products for all types of vehicles—gasoline, diesel, hybrid and electric. It preserves West Virginians' freedom to choose the vehicles that best suit their needs while supporting a diverse, thriving industry.

SEMA and PRI will continue to advocate for similar laws at both the state and federal levels, protecting consumer rights and promoting an open, competitive landscape for automotive innovation.

For more information, contact Tierra Hubbard, SEMA/PRI's senior manager for state government affairs, at tierrah@sema.org.