Trump moves to block California electric cars program
By AFP
June 13, 2025
US President Donald Trump signed resolutions blocking California's mandate to phase out gas-powered cars - Copyright CENTRAL INDUSTRIAL SECURITY FORCE (CISF)/AFP Handout
Beiyi SEOW with Huw GRIFFITH in Los Angeles
US President Donald Trump on Thursday signed resolutions blocking California’s landmark efforts to phase out gas-powered cars in favor of electric vehicles, a move the state immediately contested in court.
Trump’s action, a rebuke of Democratic climate change policies, comes after the Republican-led Congress revoked the state’s waiver allowing it to set more stringent regulations for cars.
California had planned to end the sale of gasoline-only vehicles by 2035, among other ambitious efforts.
During the signing ceremony at the White House, Trump lashed out at the state’s bid as “a disaster for this country” and said the resolutions he was signing would save the industry from “destruction.”
California swiftly sued the Trump administration over the resolutions, with Attorney General Rob Bonta saying: “The President’s divisive, partisan agenda is jeopardizing our lives, our economy and our environment.”
“It’s reckless, it’s illegal, and because of it, we’ll be seeing the Trump administration in court again for the 26th time,” he added.
California, the nation’s wealthiest state with around 40 million people, has long used the waiver in the Clean Air Act to set its own emissions standards as it tries to mitigate some of the worst air pollution in the country.
The size of the auto market in the state — and the fact that several other states follow its lead — means automakers frequently use its standards nationwide.
Trump’s move also came as he clashes with California over immigration enforcement.
California Governor Gavin Newsom has accused the president of acting like a tyrant over his use of the military to control small-scale protests in Los Angeles.
– Environmental concerns –
Trump’s action was condemned by environmental groups who say the rules are key for easing pollution.
And Newsom recently argued that rolling back the state’s EV ambitions would boost China’s position on the market.
While China is a manufacturing hub for such vehicles globally, the United States is a net importer of them, he said in a May statement.
This is despite the United States being home to technologies that have pioneered the clean car industry, he noted.
Trump has repeatedly criticized subsidies to encourage the EV industry despite significant federal funding allocated to projects in Republican districts — where thousands of jobs are expected to be created.
He took aim at the sector as part of his flurry of executive orders on his first day in office this January in a bid to ensure what he called a “level” playing field for gasoline-powered motors.
California sues Trump for scrapping state’s EV rules
By AFP
June 12, 2025
A driver plugs in a Tesla electric vehicle to charge at a Tesla Supercharger location in Santa Monica, California
By AFP
June 12, 2025
A driver plugs in a Tesla electric vehicle to charge at a Tesla Supercharger location in Santa Monica, California
- Copyright CENTRAL INDUSTRIAL SECURITY FORCE (CISF)/AFP Handout
California sued Donald Trump’s administration Thursday over his move to scrap the state’s tailpipe emission rules and its drive to phase out gas-powered cars.
“The President’s divisive, partisan agenda is jeopardizing our lives, our economy and our environment,” California Attorney General Rob Bonta said.
“It’s reckless, it’s illegal, and because of it, we’ll be seeing the Trump administration in court again for the 26th time.”
California, the nation’s wealthiest state with around 40 million people, has long used a waiver in the Clean Air Act to set its own emissions standards as it tries to mitigate some of the worst air pollution in the country.
Under that authority, which Bonta said has not been contested by successive Republican and Democrat administrations, the state plans to phase out the sale of gas-powered cars by 2035.
The size of the automarket in the state — and the fact that several other states follow its lead — means automakers frequently use its standards nationwide.
That is a source of irritation for Republicans who claim it is unfair that a Democratic-controlled state gets an effective veto on US rules.
“Under the direction of the President, the Republican controlled US House of Representatives and the Senate illegally used the (Congressional Review Act) to target California’s Clean Air Act waivers,” said Bonta.
“That’s why we’re asking the court to declare the resolutions to be unlawful and require the administration to implement the Clean Air Act consistent with the waiver as lawfully granted.
“The bottom line is simple, the President doesn’t have the legal authority to weaponize the CRA against California, and we won’t let him use the CRA for his political gain.”
The lawsuit, which Bonta said was filed in the Northern District of California, came within minutes of Donald Trump signing the legislation.
It also came as a row between Trump and California worsens, with the state’s governor accusing the president of acting like a tyrant over his use of the military to control small-scale protests in Los Angeles.
California sued Donald Trump’s administration Thursday over his move to scrap the state’s tailpipe emission rules and its drive to phase out gas-powered cars.
“The President’s divisive, partisan agenda is jeopardizing our lives, our economy and our environment,” California Attorney General Rob Bonta said.
“It’s reckless, it’s illegal, and because of it, we’ll be seeing the Trump administration in court again for the 26th time.”
California, the nation’s wealthiest state with around 40 million people, has long used a waiver in the Clean Air Act to set its own emissions standards as it tries to mitigate some of the worst air pollution in the country.
Under that authority, which Bonta said has not been contested by successive Republican and Democrat administrations, the state plans to phase out the sale of gas-powered cars by 2035.
The size of the automarket in the state — and the fact that several other states follow its lead — means automakers frequently use its standards nationwide.
That is a source of irritation for Republicans who claim it is unfair that a Democratic-controlled state gets an effective veto on US rules.
“Under the direction of the President, the Republican controlled US House of Representatives and the Senate illegally used the (Congressional Review Act) to target California’s Clean Air Act waivers,” said Bonta.
“That’s why we’re asking the court to declare the resolutions to be unlawful and require the administration to implement the Clean Air Act consistent with the waiver as lawfully granted.
“The bottom line is simple, the President doesn’t have the legal authority to weaponize the CRA against California, and we won’t let him use the CRA for his political gain.”
The lawsuit, which Bonta said was filed in the Northern District of California, came within minutes of Donald Trump signing the legislation.
It also came as a row between Trump and California worsens, with the state’s governor accusing the president of acting like a tyrant over his use of the military to control small-scale protests in Los Angeles.
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