WASHINGTON, May 13 (Reuters) - Vermont Governor Phil

Scott paused the state's electric vehicle sales requirements for

passenger cars and medium and heavy-duty trucks on Tuesday, amid

broader concerns about the feasibility of zero-emission vehicle

rules pioneered by California.

Vermont is one of 11 states including New York, Maryland and

Massachusetts that have adopted California's zero-emission

vehicle rules, which seek to end the sale of gasoline-only

vehicles by 2035. California's rules require 35% of light-duty

vehicles in the 2026 model year to be zero-emission models.

Scott cited warnings from automakers that they could limit

supply of gas-powered vehicles to dealers in the state because

of the EV rules.

"It's clear we don't have anywhere near enough charging

infrastructure and insufficient technological advances in

heavy-duty vehicles to meet current goals," said Scott.

Maryland Governor Wes Moore last month delayed

enforcement of the rules until the 2028 model year, citing

concerns about tariffs and charging infrastructure funding.

The U.S. House of Representatives voted in May to bar

both

California's landmark 2035 EV plan

and its plans to require a rising

number of zero-emissions heavy-duty trucks

, moving to repeal the legal approval for the rules granted

by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency under former

President Joe Biden.

It was not clear when the Senate may take up the

measures and California contends Congress

cannot reverse Biden's decision

under fast-track rules.

Major automakers have said the rules, which require at

least 80% EVs by 2035 and no more than 20% plug-in hybrids, are

unfeasible and lobbied against them. California says they are

essential to cut pollution and contends the vote is illegal.

The Alliance for Automotive Innovation, which represents

General Motors ( GM ), Toyota Volkswagen

Hyundai and other major automakers had warned car

companies could be forced to substantially reduce the number of

overall vehicles for sale to inflate their proportion of EV

sales.

California says EVs must hit 68% of new vehicle sales

by 2030 under the rules.