Truck Manufacturers Sue California Over Emission Standards

News Summary

Major truck manufacturers, including Daimler and Volvo, have filed a lawsuit against California to stop the enforcement of the Advanced Clean Trucks mandate. They argue compliance is impossible due to federal rollbacks of environmental regulations. The case underscores the conflict between state emission standards and federal policies. California maintains that manufacturers must adhere to its regulations despite federal actions and has issued directives to ensure compliance, intensifying the ongoing contention between industry and regulatory authorities.

California – Major truck manufacturers have initiated legal action against the state of California, aiming to halt the enforcement of the California Advanced Clean Trucks (ACT) mandate imposed by the California Air Resources Board (CARB). The manufacturers involved in this lawsuit include Daimler, PACCAR, Volvo Group North America, and International Motors, citing the enforcement as “impossible” amidst ongoing federal rollbacks of environmental regulations.

The case has been filed in the U.S District Court for the Eastern District of California, marking a significant confrontation between state and federal authorities regarding emission standards. The lawsuit is a direct response to recent federal legislative actions that revoked the waiver from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that allowed CARB to enforce its stringent regulations.

The Engine Manufacturers Association (EMA), which represents the truck manufacturers, had previously entered an agreement known as the Clean Truck Partnership (CTP) in 2023. This partnership was intended to enable compliance with the ACT while aligning California’s emissions standards with those set by the federal government. However, federal actions to undermine this waiver have made adherence to these agreements increasingly complicated for manufacturers.

California maintains that the federal government lacks the authority to overturn these waivers, insisting that the truck manufacturers must uphold the rules set forth in the CTP. In support of this stance, CARB has filed its own lawsuit against the federal government, citing that the EPA waivers should not be affected by the Congressional Review Act.

Compounding the conflict, a letter from the Department of Justice (DOJ) on August 7 has instructed Daimler to cease compliance with the CTP and other California vehicle emissions regulations, further complicating the scenario for manufacturers who are now seeking clarity regarding their legal responsibilities.

In May, CARB issued a Manufacturers Advisory Correspondence that mandated engine manufacturers to adhere to CARB’s standards despite potential federal preemption. Governor Gavin Newsom has amplified the pressure on manufacturers with an executive order indicating unfavorable regulatory treatment for non-compliance with the ACT.

Although CARB has made recent adjustments to the ACT to enhance flexibility, the authority has also emphasized the need for compliance in line with the commitments established in the Clean Truck Partnership. Previously, the EMA expressed dissatisfaction with the stringent requirements of the ACT, and this latest lawsuit illustrates the manufacturers’ enduring struggle to navigate conflicting regulations at both the state and federal levels.

The lawsuit argues that California’s approach has been “reckless” regarding the disapproval of the Congressional waiver and continues to support the enforcement of ACT and other mandates. The elimination of the Advanced Clean Fleets rule, which necessitated that fleets purchase a specific percentage of zero-emission vehicles, complicates compliance with the ACT, imposing further challenges for truck manufacturers.

Truck manufacturers have stressed the urgent need for clarity on laws and emissions standards as they plan for product development for the 2026 model year. The legal action includes allegations that California’s actions violate the preemption provisions of the Clean Air Act and challenge the constitutionality of certain provisions in the CTP that limit manufacturers’ ability to contest CARB’s activities.

The lawsuit seeks injunctive relief to prevent CARB from enforcing the ACT and related regulations while the situation continues to unfold. While CARB has refrained from commenting on the litigation, industry organizations like the Clean Freight Coalition have expressed support for the truck manufacturers’ legal stance, asserting its necessity amidst the current regulatory climate.

Meanwhile, environmental critics argue that the manufacturers’ position is inconsistent with the foundational goals of the Clean Truck Partnership, which sought to enable compliance amid difficult regulatory transitions. This lawsuit highlights the broader discord between California’s aggressive climate initiatives and the federal government’s recent regulatory rollbacks, placing truck manufacturers in a precarious and challenging position.

Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic

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