California sues Trump for blocking its clean-air rules for cars, trucks — and vows to set new mandates

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An electric car charges in Milbrae on July 29, 2022. Photo by Martin do Nascimento, CalMatters

President Donald Trump this morning signed three measures that block California’s mandates to phase out gas-powered cars and clean up diesel trucks. And California immediately struck back with a lawsuit and a vow to continue setting standards.

The move by Trump and Congress deals a substantial blow to the state’s aggressive transition to electric vehicles and could upend its decades-long authority to clean up its air pollution, which is the worst in the nation.

“We officially rescue the U.S. auto industry from destruction by terminating California’s electric vehicle mandate,” Trump said at the White House. “And they’re never coming back.” He said the state’s zero-emission car phaseout “has been a disaster for this country.”

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