The Trump administration has revoked California's authority to set its own vehicle emissions standards, a move that also prevents other states from adopting similar rules. The waiver, which had been in place since the 1970s, allowed California to enforce stricter standards than the federal government due to its severe smog problems.
President Trump argued that the decision would lower car prices and have minimal impact on emissions. However, California Governor Gavin Newsom vowed to fight the change, stating, 'We will fight this latest attempt and defend our clean car standards.' The state is expected to pursue legal action.
California's standards have historically become the de facto national benchmark, as automakers often produce a single fleet to meet the stricter requirements. Thirteen other states and the District of Columbia have already adopted California's rules, representing about a third of the US car market.
In July, under the waiver system, California negotiated with Ford, Honda, Volkswagen, and BMW to achieve a fleet average of 50 miles per US gallon by 2026, up from the current 37 mpg. The revocation is part of a broader rollback of environmental regulations by the Trump administration, including withdrawal from the Paris Agreement and easing limits on coal plants.
