Automakers had fought state’s ability to set standards under Trump administration
Move expected to make green car measures easier for Biden administration
More automakers have now said that they would end the attempted blocking of California emissions standards, says a new report. The decision isn’t a massive surprise after President Biden wone the recent US presidential election, but it is a good sign that the automakers are ready to work with Biden on reducing emissions and improving vehicle fuel economy.
General Motors was the first to walk away from the Trump administration’s efforts to cancel the more strict fuel economy and emissions rules imposed bu the state of California (and embraced by multiple other states) back in November. Now, says the New York Times, Toyota and Stellantis (Fiat Chrysler) have also said that they were joining the new administration’s party.
Ford, Honda, BMW, Volkswagen, and Volvo had said all along that they would follow California’s tougher emissions standards, so this puts most of the major automakers on board.
“After four years of putting us in reverse, it is time to restart and build a sustainable future, grow domestic manufacturing, and deliver clean cars for America,” Gina McCarthy, senior White House climate change adviser, told the Times. “We need to move forward — and fast.”
The agreement among the automakers will likely make it easier forr Biden to reverse President Trump’s roll-back of Obama administration fuel economy improvement requirements and restore the ability of states to set their own tougher targets.
