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California prepares to sue feds after Senate revokes the state’s EV rule
California plans to sue the federal government after the Senate voted to revoke its waiver allowing stricter vehicle emissions standards. Attorney General Rob Bonta criticized the measure as a partisan attack against California's pollution control efforts, highlighting that other states follow similar standards. The latest ruling impacts California's zero-emissions vehicle mandate set for 2036.
Key points
- Senate Republicans voted 51-44 to revoke California's emissions standards waiver.
- California has historically received over 100 waivers for stricter pollution controls.
- Rob Bonta, California's Attorney General, claims this revocation is unlawful and politically motivated.
- California’s EV mandate requires increased sales of zero-emissions vehicles by 2026 and only zero-emissions vehicles by 2035.
- The revocation affects 16 other states and the District of Columbia that follow California's emission standards.
- California's zero-emissions vehicle sales growth has flattened in 2024, although previous years saw significant increases.
Why it matters
- Historical context: California has fought for environmental regulations for decades, often in opposition to federal standards.
- The Congressional Review Act (CRA) has been used in the past to challenge various regulations, raising questions about its application in this instance.
- The wider trend towards EVs is supported by growing environmental concerns and technological investments in battery electric vehicles and hydrogen fuel cells.
California's impending lawsuit against the federal government underscores a significant conflict in environmental policy, reflecting broader trends towards stricter emissions standards amid rising concerns over climate change.