The administration of President Donald Trump has filed a lawsuit against the state of California, arguing that the state’s zero-emission vehicle mandates and tailpipe greenhouse gas emission rules are illegal and pre-empted by federal law.
The U.S. Department of Transportation filed the case in a federal court against the California Air Resources Board, challenging vehicle regulations that remain in place despite federal legislation signed last year to overturn the state’s Advanced Clean Cars II programme. The programme aims to phase out the sale of new petrol-powered cars by 2035.
The lawsuit seeks a ruling declaring that California’s zero-emission vehicle mandates are unlawful and cannot be enforced.
Jonathan Morrison, head of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, said the litigation would help automakers design vehicles to comply with a single federal fuel-economy standard.
California had received approval in 2022 from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for its earlier rules known as Advanced Clean Cars I, which the state maintains remain in force.
A spokesperson for Governor Gavin Newsom said the lawsuit lacked merit and that the state would defend its policies. The spokesperson argued that the rules were intended to promote cleaner vehicles and reduce dependence on volatile global oil markets.
The legal action is the latest move by the Trump administration to limit California’s authority to set its own vehicle emissions standards. In August, the administration also sued the state to block enforcement of stricter emissions standards for heavy-duty trucks.
California’s regulations require automakers to increase the share of electric vehicles sold in the state while meeting progressively stricter limits on tailpipe emissions. These standards are more stringent than current federal proposals, which aim to ease nationwide fuel-economy rules.
State officials argue that reduced fuel costs for drivers would outweigh the higher upfront costs associated with electric vehicles.
Congress had earlier rescinded California’s authority to ban the sale of new petrol-powered vehicles by 2035 after lobbying by major automakers, including Toyota and the so-called Detroit Three. The federal government has also weakened national tailpipe emission standards and passed legislation ending penalties for automakers that fail to meet those limits.
