Texas joins Trump administration’s litigation against California EV mandates
Texas Intervenes in California’s Vehicle Emissions Standards Battle
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The Battle Over Vehicle Emissions Standards
The state of Texas has entered the fray in California’s efforts to enforce stricter vehicle emissions standards than those mandated by the federal government.
After the revocation of three waivers by Congress and the Trump administration that allowed California to set its own emissions standards, Governor Newsom immediately filed a lawsuit and issued an executive order to continue pushing for heightened regulations. California’s actions could have implications for other states, as the Clean Air Act permits them to adopt California’s stricter regulations instead of the federal standards.
Following Newsom’s executive order, the Trump administration announced plans to sue California to block the implementation of what it deemed as “unlawful” emissions standards. Texas has now joined the fight alongside the America First Legal (AFL) group in support of the Trump administration’s stance.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom is seen alongside congested traffic amid his push to phase out gas-powered vehicles — a move now facing pushback from Texas officials and the Trump administration. (Getty Images)
New Research Findings on Emissions Mandates
“California’s crusade is not about innovation—it is about abusing the legal system to flout federal law and impose its radical agenda on all Americans,” said Daniel Epstein, vice president of America First Legal. “America First Legal stands proudly with the State of Texas to defend competition, consumer choice, and the rule of law. We will not let Gavin Newsom remake America in California’s image.”
Texas has filed a motion to intervene in the case, arguing that California’s strict electric vehicle mandates could have far-reaching effects beyond its borders. Attorney General Ken Paxton emphasized Texas’ support for President Trump in preventing California from imposing regulations that could harm the nation’s energy independence.
Workers at a Hyundai electric vehicle manufacturing plant in Georgia assemble vehicles on the production room floor. (Elijah Nouvelage/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
The Impact of California’s Regulations
California’s proposed regulations aim to ban the sale of new gas- and diesel-powered vehicles by 2035, which could have significant implications for car manufacturers nationwide. AFL argues that these regulations would limit choices for consumers, increase costs, and reshape the American automotive industry according to California’s standards.
Ken Paxton, with America First Legal, is taking legal action to halt California from implementing strict vehicle emissions mandates that they argue could impact the whole country. (Hannah Beier/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
Support for Legal Intervention
Aside from Texas, the American Free Enterprise Chamber of Commerce (AmFree) has also intervened in the case on the side of the Trump administration, with backing from various agricultural and trade organizations. The legal battle underscores the broader implications of California’s efforts to set emissions standards that could influence the entire country.
California’s actions have sparked a national debate on states’ rights versus federal mandates, with significant consequences for the automotive industry and environmental policy moving forward.
Fox News Digital’s Charles Creitz contributed to this report.
