Helena Joyce
In June 2025, Donald Trump revoked California's ability to set its own vehicle emissions standards, which were among the strictest in the world. The state aimed to ban the sale of new gas-powered vehicles by 2035, with a target of all new-car sales being electric or otherwise carbon-free. Trump's move was part of a broader effort to roll back Obama-era environmental protections, including pulling out of the Paris Agreement and ending rules limiting carbon emissions on new coal plants. The revocation of California's standards has sparked legal challenges, with the state's attorney general, Rob Bonta, suing to preserve the emissions standards.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Trump's plan for California emission standards | To kill California's emissions standards |
| California's unique power | To set its own stricter vehicle emissions standards |
| California's goal | To ban the sale of new gas-powered vehicles in the state by 2035 |
| Trump's action | A continuation of his “all-out assault” on California |
| California's current situation | Must find new ways to clean up the nation's worst air quality |
| Trump's impact | May reverse years of public investment in cleaner vehicle technology |
| Trump's view on electric vehicles | Expressed doubts about their performance and reliability |
| Trump's view on combustion engines | He likes them |
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What You'll Learn
- Trump's administration wants to revoke California's ability to enforce its own standards
- The administration's actions could reverse years of public investment in cleaner vehicle technology
- Trump's signing of the resolutions is seen as a betrayal of democracy
- California's waivers have been repealed, which may lead to a decline in national adoption of electric vehicles
- The EPA's proposal to repeal its 2009 finding on greenhouse gas emissions marks a U-turn for US climate progress
Trump's administration wants to revoke California's ability to enforce its own standards
In June 2025, the Trump administration attempted to revoke California's ability to enforce its own vehicle emissions standards. The state has had a nearly 60-year-old power to set its own motor vehicle emissions rules, which are stricter than federal standards. This has been made possible through waivers issued by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
California's vehicle emissions regulations are considered some of the most ambitious in the world. The state aimed to ban the sale of new gas-powered vehicles by 2035 and phase out diesel trucks, with ten other states pledging to follow suit. However, the Trump administration and industry groups have criticized these regulations, arguing that they hurt auto affordability, consumer choice, industry competitiveness, and economic activity.
The administration's efforts to revoke California's authority are based on a legal theory that congressional power can be used to override California's waiver authority. In June 2025, President Trump signed three resolutions passed by Congress aimed at revoking California's power to set its own standards. These resolutions also targeted the state's attempts to regulate national fuel economy and greenhouse gas emissions. As a result, California officials are now facing challenges in addressing the state's air quality issues and are exploring alternative approaches to clean air policies.
California has sued over the revocation of its EPA waiver, and the case is currently making its way through the court system. The outcome of this legal battle will have significant implications for the state's environmental regulations and its efforts to improve air quality and combat climate change.
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The administration's actions could reverse years of public investment in cleaner vehicle technology
In June 2025, President Trump signed three resolutions passed by Congress aimed at revoking California's ability to set its own motor vehicle emissions rules. This move could reverse years of public investment in cleaner vehicle technology.
California has had a unique power to set its own stricter vehicle emissions standards since 1967, when it obtained waivers from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) under the Clean Air Act. These waivers were granted to address compelling and extraordinary localized issues, such as California's notorious smog and air quality issues, driven by transportation emissions and the state's topography that traps pollutants in its interior basins.
Over the years, California has used this power to implement ambitious rules and standards to reduce emissions and promote the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs). For example, the state had planned to ban the sale of new gas-powered cars by 2035 and phase out diesel trucks. However, with the revocation of its waiver authority, California's ability to enforce these standards has been hindered, and its leadership in the transition to EVs is at risk.
The Trump administration's actions could have a significant impact on the EV market and the development of cleaner vehicle technology. California's stringent emission standards have been a driving force in the US automotive market, with the state accounting for nearly a third of new car sales each year. The state's incentives and mandates for zero-emission vehicles have encouraged the adoption of EVs and pushed the industry to innovate and invest in cleaner technologies.
However, with California's regulations blocked, there are concerns that the progress made towards cleaner vehicles could be lost. The administration's moves have been criticized for prioritizing affordability and consumer choice over environmental protection and public health. Experts warn that reversing course on clean vehicle technology could set back years of public investment in this area, hindering the development and adoption of EVs and clean vehicle technologies.
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Trump's signing of the resolutions is seen as a betrayal of democracy
In June 2025, President Trump signed three resolutions passed by Congress aimed at revoking California's ability to set its own motor vehicle emissions rules. California has had a nearly 60-year-old waiver allowing it to set stricter vehicle emissions standards than the federal government. This has been critical to the state's efforts to address its poor air quality, driven largely by transportation emissions.
Trump's signing of these resolutions has been seen as a "betrayal of democracy" by some. Dan Becker, from the Center for Biological Diversity, stated that the signing was a "flagrant abuse of the law to reward Big Oil and Big Auto corporations at the expense of everyday people's health and their wallets." California's Democratic governor, Gavin Newsom, also criticized Trump's actions as a continuation of his "all-out assault" on California, stating that Trump was "destroying our clean air and America's global competitiveness."
The resolutions are based on a legal theory put forward by Republican lawmakers that they can use congressional power to override California's "waiver" authority. This theory has been called "completely unprecedented" and "legally inappropriate" by California Attorney General Rob Bonta. The move by Trump is seen as a reversal of years of public investment in cleaner vehicle technology and a threat to one of the world's most ambitious vehicle electrification schemes.
Trump's administration has also taken other steps to roll back environmental protections, such as loosening regulations that require automakers to build more efficient and cleaner vehicles. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has proposed gutting its greenhouse gas rules and removing incentives for automakers to comply with emissions standards. These actions have been criticized by environmental groups and states, who argue that they will have damaging consequences for the American people and the environment.
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California's waivers have been repealed, which may lead to a decline in national adoption of electric vehicles
California has long struggled with air pollution, with its topography trapping pollutants in interior basins. To address this, California obtained waivers from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in 1967 as part of the Clean Air Act. These waivers allowed California to set its own stricter vehicle emission standards and ban the sale of new gasoline-powered cars by 2035, transitioning to electric vehicles. However, under the Trump administration, there have been efforts to revoke California's waiver authority.
In June 2025, President Trump signed three resolutions passed by Congress aimed at revoking California's power to set its own motor vehicle emissions rules. These resolutions were based on a legal theory that Congress can use its power over federal agency rules to override California's waiver authority. As a result, California's ability to enforce its ambitious emission standards has been impacted, and it may have to rely on voluntary agreements and subsidies to encourage the adoption of electric vehicles.
The revocation of California's waivers has been met with criticism and legal challenges. California Attorney General Rob Bonta called the move a "completely unprecedented approach," and California Governor Gavin Newsom referred to it as an "all-out assault" on the state. California has sued over the revocation of its EPA waiver, and environmental groups have also pushed back against the Trump administration's actions.
The loss of California's leadership in electric vehicle adoption is expected to have nationwide implications. The EPA's analysis indicates that without California's influence and the tax credits under President Biden's Inflation Reduction Act, the national adoption of electric vehicles will decline, and gasoline prices will increase. This is supported by experts, who warn that the Trump administration's moves could reverse years of public investment in cleaner vehicle technology.
Despite the pushback and potential consequences, the Trump administration has defended its actions, citing economic benefits for Americans and stating that it will preserve consumer choice and industry competitiveness. The administration has also expressed doubts about the performance and reliability of electric vehicles.
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The EPA's proposal to repeal its 2009 finding on greenhouse gas emissions marks a U-turn for US climate progress
In a move that marks a significant U-turn for US climate progress, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has proposed repealing its 2009 finding on greenhouse gas emissions. This finding, made during the Obama administration, concluded that greenhouse gases endanger public health and welfare, providing a legal justification for climate regulations and electric vehicle mandates. The proposal, announced by EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin, is based on claims that the Obama administration "twisted the law, ignored precedent, and warped science." It aims to provide regulatory relief to automakers and Americans by reinstating consumer choice and decreasing costs associated with electric vehicles.
However, this proposal has been met with strong criticism. Some argue that it is a "'betrayal of democracy,' rewarding big corporations at the expense of public health." It also contradicts decades of evidence linking climate change to extreme weather events and their increasing frequency and intensity. The EPA's claim that reducing greenhouse gas emissions to zero would not significantly impact global climate change is at odds with established scientific consensus.
The EPA's proposal is part of a broader effort by the Trump administration to roll back environmental regulations and protect traditional automotive industries. Trump has targeted California's ambitious vehicle electrification and climate policies, revoking its nearly 60-year-old power to set stricter emissions standards. This has hindered California's ability to address its severe air pollution issues and may impact the state's efforts to transition to zero-emission vehicles.
Despite pushback, California officials remain committed to pressing on with zero-emission vehicle initiatives. They emphasize the need for creativity and persistence in clean air policy, exploring various approaches, including mandates and incentives. The state's resilience in the face of federal restrictions highlights the ongoing tension between the Trump administration and California, a predominantly Democratic state, over environmental issues.
The EPA's proposal to repeal its 2009 finding on greenhouse gas emissions has significant implications for US climate progress. It undermines years of efforts to address climate change and protect public health, potentially hindering the transition to cleaner technologies and increasing emissions in the transportation sector, the largest source of greenhouse gases in the US.
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Frequently asked questions
Trump wants to revoke California's ability to set its own vehicle emissions rules and impose a nationwide electric vehicle mandate.
Trump's actions have significant implications for California's efforts to address its air quality issues. The state may have to rely on voluntary agreements and subsidies to encourage the adoption of electric vehicles.
California officials have criticised Trump's actions as an all-out assault on the state's clean air initiatives. They have also emphasised the importance of continuing to press for zero-emission vehicles.
The loss of California's leadership and tax credits is expected to result in a decline in the national adoption of electric vehicles and an increase in gasoline prices.
Trump's administration argues that the Federal Government should establish vehicle emissions standards, claiming that a patchwork of state regulations is unworkable. They also cite the Congressional Review Act and the Clean Air Act in their efforts to block California's waivers.
