United States: In alliance of eleven US states—under California’s helm—initiated a legal counterstrike Thursday, contesting Congress’s dismantling of California’s benchmark 2035 electric vehicle and heavy-duty emissions frameworks.
President Donald Trump, defiant and unwavering, authorized three legislative reversals that nullify California’s future-centric green transport edicts. These include scrapping the state’s iconic goal to eliminate gas-only vehicle sales by 2035.
“Today, we liberate America’s auto sector from regulatory ruin by terminating California’s EV stranglehold—once and for all,” Trump proclaimed, according to Reuters.
In response, California Governor Gavin Newsom delivered a sharp rebuke:
“Trump’s unrelenting vendetta against California escalates. He’s not just targeting our state—he’s gutting clean air efforts and sabotaging America’s competitive edge.”
States Challenge EPA Rollback in Federal Court
The lawsuit, filed in Northern California’s US District Court, aims to void Trump’s revocation of waivers granted by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) during President Biden’s tenure.
“The federal government engineered a procedural ambush—dodging due process to dismantle California’s legal climate framework,” the suit alleges.
States rallying behind the litigation include New York, New Jersey, Washington, Massachusetts, and Colorado. Defendants named: Trump, the EPA, and Administrator Lee Zeldin.
Congressional Review Act Under Fire
The Government Accountability Office earlier declared that EPA waivers couldn’t be lawfully axed under the Congressional Review Act. Still, Senate Republicans bulldozed forward, disregarding the Parliamentarian’s caution.
These waivers empowered California to ensure 80% of new vehicle sales are electric by 2035—plug-in hybrids filling the remainder.
Trump didn’t stop there. He also annulled:
- EPA’s 2023 nod to California’s zero-emission heavy truck rule.
- Low-nitrogen oxide (NOx) emission mandates for highway and off-road vehicles.
“Vital emission safeguards tethered to gas and diesel vehicles were unceremoniously scrapped,” the suit contends.
Auto Industry Reacts—Applauds Repeal
The Alliance for Automotive Innovation, representing auto giants like GM, Toyota, Volkswagen, Hyundai, and Stellantis, welcomed Trump’s signature, as reported by Reuters.
CEO John Bozzella hailed the move:
“President Trump preemptively defused damaging mandates, preserved customer choice, and restored regulatory sanity to emissions policy.”
Automakers and analysts agree: Tesla’s EV credit valuation now faces serious devaluation.
EPA Dismisses Legal Challenge as Baseless
EPA spokesperson Molly Vaseliou dismissed the suit:
“This is merely California throwing a legal tantrum. Americans want no part of the state’s draconian mandates.”
Congress Eyes Further Anti-EV Measures
A bill passed by the US House in May escalates the rollback:
- Erases the $7,500 federal tax break for new EVs.
- Introduces a $250 annual EV surcharge for road upkeep.
- Dismantles emissions targets pressuring automakers to embrace electrification.
- Phases out battery production credits by 2028.
Meanwhile, a Senate blueprint seeks to eliminate financial penalties for not hitting federal fuel economy marks.
With legal fireworks ignited and the EV roadmap under siege, a complex tug-of-war now plays out—between states urging climate urgency and federal forces pushing deregulation. The outcome may define America’s environmental trajectory for years to come.