Summary
- California receives two waivers from the EPA to enforce stricter vehicle emissions rules, including ending sales of new gasoline cars by 2035
- Several states follow California’s emissions rules, expecting to adopt the Advanced Clean Cars II standards
- Environmental groups and the U.S. Climate Alliance praise the move for cleaner air, lower costs, and more job opportunities
- Industry trade group Alliance for Automotive Innovation calls the move an "unaccountable, unachievable regulatory wormhole"
- Uncertainty remains on whether the Trump administration will attempt to withdraw California’s waiver on emissions standards
Article
The EPA recently granted two requests from the California Air Resources Board to implement and enforce the state’s Advanced Clean Cars II rules, which would effectively end the sale of most new gasoline cars by 2035. These rules, which were drafted under California’s Clean Air Act waiver, allow the state to set emission standards that are stricter than federal regulations. California is expected to be followed by several other states in implementing these rules, which cover light-duty and medium-duty vehicles for model years 2026 to 2035. The EPA also granted a waiver for California’s “Omnibus” regulations for heavy-duty vehicle emissions, which also set stricter targets than federal standards.
Environmental groups have praised the EPA’s decision to grant the waivers to California, with the U.S. Climate Alliance stating that it will lead to cleaner air, lower costs, expanded choice for consumers, and more job opportunities in manufacturing across America. California and several other states, including Oregon, Washington State, New York, Massachusetts, and Vermont, have already adopted the ACC II rules starting in either the 2026 or 2027 model year. These states represent a significant portion of new car sales in the United States.
However, industry trade group the Alliance for Automotive Innovation has expressed concerns about the states following California’s lead in implementing stricter emission standards, referring to it as an “unaccountable, unachievable regulatory wormhole.” This criticism is not necessarily aimed at California’s regulatory actions but rather at the potential challenges these states may face in the future, particularly if the Trump administration attempts to revoke California’s waiver once again.
During the previous Trump administration, there was an attempt to withdraw the waiver that allowed California to set its own emission standards. The Biden administration has reversed this decision and plans to reinstate the waiver, with public input expected to be part of the process. However, there is still uncertainty about whether the incoming Trump administration will seek to challenge California’s authority once again, as well as potential changes to policies supporting electric vehicles.
While the Supreme Court recently rejected a challenge from the oil and gas industry seeking to withdraw California’s waiver, the issue of states’ rights in setting emission standards remains a contentious issue. It is unclear whether Trump will continue to interfere with California’s waiver, but his stance on EV policies suggests that there may be future challenges ahead. The regulatory landscape for emission standards and the future of electric vehicles in the U.S. remains uncertain as different administrations continue to navigate the complex relationships between federal and state authorities.
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