The U.S. Senate on Thursday voted to block California’s first-in-the-nation regulations that would ban the sale of new gasoline-powered passenger vehicles statewide in 2035, setting up a certain legal battle over the future of electric cars in the United States.

California’s authority to set environmental rules that are tougher than national standards had never been challenged by Congress. Until now.

Today’s decision could upend California’s phaseout of gas-powered cars and diesel trucks, and its battle against air pollution. California plans to sue, saying it's an unlawful act.