Topline
The Justice Department sued California over its electric vehicle mandate in two complaints filed this week, seeking to end the state’s emission standards enforced through its “Clean Truck Partnership,” which requires a share of heavy-duty vehicles to be electric by 2035.
The two complaints were filed Friday. (Photo by FREDERIC J. BROWN/AFP via Getty Images)
AFP via Getty Images
Key Facts
The two complaints also take issue with the California Air Resources Board’s standards for light-duty vehicles, which aim to lower pollution and transition to zero-emission vehicles, calling the rules “unlawful” and an attempt to “undermine federal law.”
The DOJ claims without waivers, the California Air Resources Board should not be able to enforce the heavy-duty truck regulations, alleging the board is trying to avoid prohibition by enforcing the emission standards through the Clean Truck Partnership—a voluntary state-level agreement between California and truck manufacturers.
A second DOJ complaint takes issue with the California Air Resources Board’s standards for light-duty vehicles, which aim to lower pollution and transition to zero-emission vehicles, calling the rules “unlawful” and an attempt to “undermine federal law.”
Forbes has reached out to the California Air Resources Board for comment.
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Crucial Quote
“These actions advance President Donald J. Trump’s commitment to end the electric vehicle (EV) mandate, level the regulatory playing field, and promote consumer choice in motor vehicles,” the Justice Department said in a statement.
What Emission Rules Are Included In The Clean Truck Partnership?
The partnership includes agreements from major truck manufacturers like Daimler Truck, Volvo Group, International Motors and PACCAR to follow regulations from the California Air Resources Board. Some of those regulations include achieving zero-emission truck fleets by 2045 and selling increasing numbers of zero-emission trucks each year. Overall, the partnership looks to help California achieve its goal of phasing out the sale of gas-powered vehicles by 2035.
Tangent
The DOJ lawsuits levied against California are the latest attack from the Trump administration against the state’s emissions standards and goals, coming just days after the Federal Trade Commission said the Clean Truck Partnership is “unenforceable.” The FTC investigated whether the involved truck manufacturers violated antitrust laws by entering into the partnership, but the manufacturers agreed to break away from the agreement to settle the concerns.
Key Background
California is aiming to have all new passenger trucks, cars and SUVs sold in the state be zero-emission vehicles by 2035, tacking on to emission goals like reducing methane and black carbon emissions to 40 percent and 50 percent, respectively, by 2030. Electric vehicles made up a quarter of new car sales in California in 2022, according to the Air Resources Board. Despite progressing toward its emissions goals, the state has faced strong opposition from the Trump administration, which blocked California’s ban on the sale of new gas-powered cars by 2035 and rescinded Biden-era waivers from the Environmental Protection Agency used to implement strict emission standards. California is appealing both actions by the Trump administration.
Further Reading
California Quickly Sues Trump In Effort To Save Its EV Mandate (Forbes)
Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/antoniopequenoiv/2025/08/15/justice-department-sues-california-over-its-truck-emission-standards/