Next EV Battle Pits Truckers And Red States Against California-Led ‘Cartel’
Ireland Owens
Contributor
December 26, 2024
California state regulators and some truck manufacturers have faced mounting pushback from truck drivers and red states related to its massive push toward statewide electric vehicle (EV) adoption.
After Democratic California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed an executive order in September 2020 to phase out the sale of all new gas-powered vehicles in his state by 2035, the state and several vehicle manufacturers have faced an onslaught of lawsuits related to the new regulations. Now, some truck drivers and red states are attempting to thwart the rules that they allege would slow the supply chain and force the “transition to more expensive and less efficient electric trucks,” according to one trucking group.
The Western Propane Gas Association sued the California Air Resources Board (CARB) in August over its Zero-Emission Forklift rule due to the alleged costs it would impose on California forklift owners and operators. Other trade and trucking organizations criticized CARB’s recently introduced regulations aimed at reducing air pollution.
The American Free Enterprise Chamber of Commerce (AmFree), a business lobbying group, also filed a lawsuit against CARB and several truck manufacturers on Dec. 16, alleging that California has created a “collusive” partnership with heavy-duty truck manufacturers to gradually eliminate internal combustion engines in the state by 2036. The lawsuit critiques some of California’s vehicle regulations as “coercive,” and alleges that some truck manufacturers have “obtained a cozy cartel arrangement” with CARB, that will ultimately pass the alleged costs of complying with new regulations onto consumers.
https://dailycaller.com/2024/12/26/electric-vehicle-battle-red-states-truckers-california/
