Truck Giants Sue California Over Strict New Emissions Rules originally appeared on Autoblog.
Four of the biggest names in the trucking industry are taking California to court, arguing the state should not be allowed to enforce its tough new emissions rules. California is no stranger to strict vehicle laws, often ranking high among states with the strictest traffic laws. But this fight is less about speed limits and seat belts, and more about how clean heavy-duty trucks need to be in the future.
The Dispute at the Heart of the Case
Daimler Truck North America, Volvo Group North America, Paccar, and International Motors (formerly Navistar) filed their lawsuit in federal court in Sacramento on August 11. They say recent federal changes have removed California’s ability to set its own standards for truck emissions. The tipping point came in June, when U.S. President Donald Trump cancelled special waivers that had been granted under the Biden administration. These waivers let California push for more zero-emission truck sales and tougher pollution limits through its 2023 Clean Truck Partnership. Without them, the companies claim they are stuck in limbo, unsure which trucks they can sell in the coming years.
California’s Climate Ambitions Face Legal Pushback
The Clean Truck Partnership was meant to give manufacturers more time to adapt while still aiming for lower emissions. It targeted a cut in nitrogen oxide pollution and a faster shift toward electric and hydrogen-powered trucks. Governor Gavin Newsom and the California Air Resources Board (CARB) are named in the lawsuit, but neither has commented publicly. California has a long history of setting tougher environmental rules than the federal government, thanks to more than 100 waivers granted under the Clean Air Act since 1970. The removal of these waivers is part of a broader effort by the Trump administration to limit California’s environmental authority, including blocking the state’s plan to stop selling gasoline-only vehicles by 2035.
The Future of Trucking
The case, Daimler Truck North America LLC et al v. California Air Resources Board et al, will be heard in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California. If California loses, it may have to follow less strict federal rules, slowing its push for cleaner trucks. If it wins, truckmakers will have to meet some of the strictest standards in the country. The Federal Trade Commission has already wrapped up a related antitrust investigation into the Clean Truck Partnership, with the truckmakers agreeing not to enter similar agreements with state regulators in the future.
Truck Giants Sue California Over Strict New Emissions Rules first appeared on Autoblog on Aug 15, 2025
This story was originally reported by Autoblog on Aug 15, 2025, where it first appeared.
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