Former President Trump sued California over its zero-emission vehicle rules and gasoline car phase-out. This battle highlights the state's push for clean transport despite federal opposition.
Trump opposes electric cars: The battle against California
The state of California’s rules on zero-emission vehicles and greenhouse gas emissions from combustion car tailpipes are illegal. This is according to Donald Trump. The former American president, in fact, sued California because these regulations, which form part of California’s electric vehicle mandates, allegedly conflict with federal ones. Last year, President Trump repealed California’s Advanced Clean Cars II rules, which aimed to gradually eliminate gasoline cars by 2035. The U.S. Department of Transportation considers California to be in violation of the law for keeping these regulations in effect.
Trump vs. California
Furthermore, the state of California – which received a green light in 2022 from the Environmental Protection Agency – has raised gasoline taxes to discourage the use of internal combustion cars, making fuel costs among the highest in America. With the lawsuit, Trump aims to obtain a ruling that declares all obligations imposed by California regarding zero-emission vehicles illegal and unenforceable.
“This legal action will help automakers design and produce cars and trucks that comply with federal fuel economy standards,” stated Jonathan Morrison, head of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
California won’t back down
The state governor’s response was swift. A spokesperson for California Governor Gavin Newsom stated that the lawsuit is baseless and that the state will not back down.
“The Trump administration sued California for promoting cleaner, cheaper cars that free drivers from the grip of foreign oil markets and malign actors who profit from global instability,” Newsom commented.
This comment comes as Americans, like Europeans, face sharply rising gasoline prices following the attack in Iran.
Sky-high gasoline prices
According to the American Automobile Association, on Thursday, the average fuel cost in California was $5.37 per gallon (3.78 liters). In comparison, the national average was $3.60 per gallon, representing an increase of about 20% since the United States and Israel attacked Iran.
California like Europe
The U.S. Congress revoked California’s authority to ban gasoline vehicles after 2035, following pressure from Toyota and the three major Detroit automakers on Congress and the White House. Last August, the Trump administration sued California to prevent the state from enforcing strict emission standards even for heavy-duty vehicles.
California’s regulations require automakers to sell an increasing number of electric vehicles and adhere to ever-stricter tailpipe emission limits. These rules are far more stringent than those imposed by the Trump administration. California argues that the fuel savings for consumers resulting from these standards far outweigh the higher initial costs of electric vehicles.
