California Truck Manufacturers Challenge ACT Mandate

News Summary

Major truck manufacturers have filed a lawsuit against California, seeking to halt enforcement of the Advanced Clean Trucks (ACT) mandate. They argue compliance is unmanageable due to conflicting federal regulations. This legal battle questions the state’s stringent emission standards amidst federal rollbacks, highlighting the growing tension between state and federal policies regarding environmental regulations and the future of clean trucking.

California – Truck manufacturers, including Daimler, PACCAR, Volvo Group North America, and International Motors, have filed a lawsuit against the state of California in the U.S District Court for the Eastern District of California. The lawsuit seeks to halt the enforcement of the California Advanced Clean Trucks (ACT) mandate, claiming that adherence to these regulations has become “impossible” due to conflicting federal actions that have overridden key elements of state regulations.

The immediate catalyst for this lawsuit stems from recent federal decisions which included Congressional approval and the Presidential action that invalidated a prior waiver from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). This waiver was essential as it allowed California to implement its own stringent emission standards, which the manufacturers now argue are unmanageable given the updated federal stance. The truck manufacturers are requesting a reconsideration of the California Air Resources Board (CARB) mandate, emphasizing the urgent need for clarity regarding compliance under model year 2026 emissions standards.

In 2023, the Engine Manufacturers Association (EMA), representing the interests of the truck manufacturers, entered into an agreement known as the Clean Truck Partnership (CTP) aimed at facilitating compliance with California’s emission regulations while aligning them with those of the EPA. However, in light of recent federal actions, including a letter from the Department of Justice instructing Daimler to cease compliance with the CTP and California vehicle emissions regulations, manufacturers are voicing concerns about regulatory inconsistencies. The manufacturers contend that the requirements of the CTP have become untenable and question the validity of CARB’s mandates due to federal preemption laws.

California has been steadfast in its position, deeming the federal actions that invalidated previous waivers to be illegal while insisting that manufacturers remain compliant with the ACT regulations. CARB has also initiated its legal actions against the federal government, asserting that EPA waivers should not be subject to the Congressional Review Act. This ongoing legal conflict adds to the complexity of the regulatory landscape, which already presents significant challenges for manufacturers.

Previously, CARB made adjustments to the ACT to offer manufacturers some degree of flexibility, yet similar to their past responses, it continues to uphold the commitments made in the Clean Truck Partnership. Furthermore, California Governor Gavin Newsom’s executive order has laid down the law for manufacturers, signaling that failure to adhere to the ACT mandates may result in unfavorable regulatory treatment.

Amidst these developments, the lawsuit highlights the tension faced by manufacturers contending with increasingly stringent state regulations coupled with recent federal rollbacks. The elimination of another significant rule—the Advanced Clean Fleets rule—has made compliance more challenging, as it previously mandated fleets to procure a certain percentage of zero-emission vehicles alongside standard truck purchases.

The manufacturers assert that the state has taken a “reckless” stance in its enforcement of the ACT and comparable mandates, which have become more impractical due to the lack of clarity stemming from federal guidelines. They argue that without clear regulatory frameworks, they are unable to effectively plan product production moving forward, particularly concerning compliance for model year 2026.

The lawsuit not only challenges California’s implementation of the ACT on grounds of violating the Clean Air Act’s preemption provisions but also questions the constitutionality of certain clauses within the CTP that allegedly prevent manufacturers from legally contesting CARB’s regulatory actions. As the legal proceedings unfold, CARB has opted not to comment on the ongoing litigation.

Meanwhile, supporters, including the Clean Freight Coalition, have expressed their backing for the truck manufacturers, characterizing the lawsuit as a necessary step in navigating the conflicting regulations. Environmentalists, on the other hand, critique the manufacturers’ stance, arguing that it diverges from the original intent of the Clean Truck Partnership, which was designed to help industries adapt to new regulatory realities.

This lawsuit encapsulates the broader conflict between California’s ambitious climate change policies and the current federal rollbacks, placing truck manufacturers in a precarious position as they navigate a complex regulatory environment.

Truck Manufacturers Sue California Over Clean Trucks Mandate

News Summary

Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic

Author: HERE LOS ANGELES