The state will file a lawsuit to “stop this latest illegal action by a President who is a wholly owned subsidiary of big polluters,” according to Governor Gavin Newsom.
In an effort to accelerate the shift away from combustion engines, President Donald Trump signed three resolutions that prohibit California from requiring the sale of electric vehicles and establishing tailpipe emissions requirements.
The resolutions repeal the federal waiver that permits California to establish its own tailpipe pollution requirements under the Clean Air Act and overturn the state’s historic 2024 decision to prohibit the sale of new gasoline-powered vehicles by 2035. The plan, which Trump has referred to as California’s “EV mandate“, was enacted by 17 states, which account for 30% of the US auto market.
Trump’s action will prevent the 17 states from enforcing California’s 2035 electric vehicle sales requirements. Additionally, California’s plan to mandate an increasing amount of heavy-duty truck purchases with zero emissions was revoked by Trump.
At a White House news conference, Trump declared, “By permanently ending the California electric vehicle mandate, we formally saved the U.S. auto industry from extinction.”
California will file a lawsuit to “stop this latest illegal action by a President who is a wholly owned subsidiary of big polluters,” according to a statement released by Governor Gavin Newsom.
Trump and Newsom are also at odds over Trump’s use of National Guard forces to put down demonstrations against his administration’s harsh immigration enforcement policies in Los Angeles.
Additionally, it has strained relations between Trump and Elon Musk, the CEO of Tesla and his former close adviser. Last week, Trump and Musk had a highly public falling out, but things have since improved. Trump’s stance on electric vehicles was partially to blame for the gap.
Regarding Musk, Trump stated during the press conference on Thursday, “Now we know why Elon doesn’t like me so much, which he does.” In fact, he does.
It has also caused a rift in Trump’s relationship with Tesla CEO and previously close adviser Elon Musk. Things have improved since Trump’s and Musk’s highly public falling out last week. The disparity was caused in part by Trump’s position on electric automobiles.
At Thursday’s press conference, Trump said of Musk, “Now we know why Elon doesn’t like me so much, which he does.” Indeed, he does.
Last year, China sold two-thirds of the world’s electric cars, up from 50% in 2021.
The director of the Sierra Club’s Clean Transportation for All program, Katherine Garcia, stated, “The administration is determined to push us backwards and give EV innovation and leadership to China instead of investing in electric vehicle manufacturing here in the U.S. and leading us towards a healthier future.” “The Sierra Club will keep pushing for environmentally friendly transportation options nationwide.”
In a statement, Lee Zeldin, the administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, congratulated Trump and claimed that California’s waivers had reduced “consumer choice for Americans in every state“.
Trump’s move was highly praised by automakers and auto trade associations, many of whom attended the news conference on Thursday.
In a statement, a General Motors representative stated, “We have long pushed for one national standard that will allow us to stay competitive, continue to invest in U.S. innovation, and offer customer choice across the broadest lineup of gas-powered and electric vehicles.”
“Common sense won out today,” said Chris Spear, president and CEO of the American Trucking Association.