GM Pulls Support From Trump’s Battle With California on Emissions
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General Motors Co. will withdraw from the legal battle between the Trump administration and California officials over the state’s authority to set automobile emissions rules, a major shift in the contentious fight that has fractured the industry.
The decision is a significant reversal by the largest U.S. automaker after it supported the Trump administration’s legal defense of a 2019 federal rule revoking California’s authority to set tougher tailpipe greenhouse gas requirements than the federal government. GM CEO Mary Barra said in a letter to environmental groups Nov. 23 that the company’s goal of speeding adoption of electric vehicles is aligned with President-elect Joe Biden’s support of cleaner cars.
“We believe the ambitious electrification goals of the President-elect, California, and General Motors are aligned to address climate change by drastically reducing automobile emissions,” Barra said in the letter. “To better foster the necessary dialogue, we are immediately withdrawing from the preemption litigation and inviting other automakers to join us.”
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GM’s move reflects the shift in Washington, with the incoming Biden administration expected to restore California’s waiver and bolster auto emissions standards after they were largely dismantled under President Donald Trump. Biden has promised to develop “rigorous new fuel economy standards aimed at ensuring 100% of new sales for light- and medium-duty vehicles will be electrified.”
In September 2019, California challenged Trump’s Transportation Department’s assertion that its authority to set fuel-economy standards preempts the state’s ability to dictate its own, tougher requirements. Environmental groups joined the legal fight.
GM along with Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV, Toyota Motor Corp. and other carmakers had earlier backed the Trump administration’s decision to revoke California’s ability to set tougher tailpipe greenhouse gas rules than the federal government, a key part of the White House’s move to dramatically weaken ambitious fuel efficiency rules enacted by the Obama administration.
Their position contrasted with Ford Motor Co., Honda Motor Co., Volkswagen AG and BMW AG, which agreed with California officials to voluntarily exceed the weakened federal rules, bucking Trump’s plan and breaking with GM and other competitors that sided with the administration.
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Toyota said in a statement Nov. 23 that the company has “long supported year-over-year improvements in fuel economy standards” that provide climate and national energy security benefits but it had backed the Trump administration plan “knowing there was a preponderance of other automakers” aligned.
“Given the changing circumstances, we are assessing the situation, but remain committed to our goal of a consistent, unitary set of fuel economy standards applicable in all 50 states,” the company said.
The move drew applause from environmental advocates. Dan Becker, director of the Safe Climate Transport Campaign that advocates cleaner transportation policies, said GM had been wrong in trying “to prevent California from protecting its people from tailpipe pollution.”
“Now the other automakers must follow GM and withdraw support for Trump’s attack on clean cars,” Becker said by email.
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