Trump Administration Sues California Over Fuel Efficiency Rules

The Trump administration has initiated a lawsuit against California regarding its fuel efficiency regulations, which the state is believed to be using as a way to establish a sort of electric vehicle mandate, as reported by the California Post.

On Thursday, the Justice Department filed the lawsuit on behalf of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The lawsuit claims that California is violating federal law by requiring automakers to adhere to state-imposed mileage standards.

“California is taking advantage of the previous administration’s illegal policies to impose exorbitant costs on its citizens,” said Attorney General Pamela Bondi. “The Department of Justice is proud to work with President Trump and Secretary Duffy to litigate cases that make life more affordable for American consumers.”

Federal laws under the Energy Policy and Conservation Act restrict states from establishing their own fuel economy regulations, yet California has benefitted from several exemptions for years.

In 2022, California Governor Gavin Newsom seized on this by having the California Air Resources Board (CARB) adopt the Advanced Clean Car II program, which mandates a gradual increase in zero-emission vehicle sales, aiming for 100% by 2035. Notably, Biden’s EPA has granted California a waiver to implement this rule.

Newsom also defended additional electric vehicle mandates, such as the Advanced Clean Trucks (ACT) and Heavy Duty Omnibus regulations.

These regulations could serve as a model for over a dozen other states looking to enact stricter standards than federal guidelines. Newsom’s standards build upon those set by former Governor Jerry Brown, striving to cut CO2 emissions from new vehicles by 34% by 2025, and reduce overall greenhouse gas emissions by 27% by 2035.

In a recent turn of events, President Trump signed a bill through the Congressional Review Act (CRA) aimed at revoking Newsom’s emissions mandate, a move currently being contested in court. Yet, the standards from ACC I remain effective, with the Trump administration labeling them as an “unlawful electric vehicle mandate” due to state-specific mileage requirements.

NHTSA Administrator Jonathan Morrison emphasized the significance of this lawsuit, stating, “This lawsuit will help automakers design and produce cars and trucks that meet federal fuel efficiency regulations.” He added that allowing California to set its own rules leads to an expensive mix of state fuel standards. “This lawsuit will right that mistake,” he concluded.

In response to the rollback of California’s emissions regulations by President Trump, Newsom has signed a series of executive orders, urging the California Air Resources Board to incentivize automakers who develop Advanced Clean Car III and comply with the existing strict mandates.

The ongoing legal battle is now twofold: challenging the CRA’s revocation in the Ninth Circuit and a Justice Department lawsuit aiming to prevent California from enforcing basic emissions regulations.

U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy expressed determination against the state’s regulations, stating, “I was proud to stand alongside President Trump to announce Biden Buttigieg’s plan to eliminate the EV mandate and allow automakers to produce cars that American families actually want to buy at more affordable prices. But Gavin Newsom is determined to continue promoting Democrats’ radical EV fantasies, even if it’s illegal.”