The big question as Trump and Newsom face off yet again: Does California have the authority to establish some of its own clean energy policies?
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — The federal government sued California on Thursday over its electric vehicle mandate, escalating an ongoing clash between the White House and state leaders over climate and energy policy.
At the center of the dispute is California’s rule requiring all new passenger vehicles sold in the state to be zero-emissions by 2035.
The regulation, known as Advanced Clean Cars II, was adopted in 2022 by the California Air Resources Board and previously received federal approval during the administration of President Joe Biden.
Now, the administration of President Donald Trump is challenging the policy, arguing that California’s rule effectively conflicts with federal authority over vehicle fuel economy standards.
The lawsuit contends that fuel economy rules are already regulated at the federal level by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration within the United States Department of Transportation.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy criticized California’s approach, accusing Gov. Gavin Newsom of pushing what he called an unrealistic electric vehicle agenda.
“But Gavin Newsom is determined to continue pushing Democrat’s radical EV fantasy – even if doing so is illegal,” he stated.
California officials argue the state has long had the authority to adopt stricter emissions rules under the Clean Air Act, which allows California to seek waivers from the Environmental Protection Agency to set tougher vehicle standards than the federal government.
“We’ve been regulating tailpipe emissions since before the EPA existed,” said Democratic Assemblymember Isaac Bryan, chair of the Assembly Natural Resources Committee. “This is just another attack on California, but again, we’re resilient.”
Newsom’s office called the lawsuit “meritless” and said the state would continue defending its climate policies.
In a statement, the governor’s office argued the EV transition would reduce reliance on foreign oil and shield consumers from volatile global energy markets.
“On the same day Trump bragged on social media that he’s happy to let the Iran war drag on while drivers keep paying more at the pump and oil companies pocket record profits, his administration sued California for advancing cleaner, cheaper cars that free drivers from the grip of foreign oil markets and the bad actors who stand to profit from global instability. Gas prices are soaring nationwide because of Trump’s reckless choices, and now he’s attacking the Golden State for trying to give Californians more freedom and cheaper options,” said a spokesperson for the governor.
California’s rule gradually increases the share of zero-emission vehicle sales required from automakers. The regulation requires 35% of new cars sold in the state to be zero-emission models by 2026, rising to 68% by 2030 and reaching 100% by 2035.
Critics have argued consumer adoption may not be happening quickly enough to meet those benchmarks.
Bryan acknowledged the state still has work to do.
“We’re not as far as we should be, and we want to be farther,” he said.
But state officials say progress is already underway. The California Energy Commission reported in January that more than 2.5 million zero-emission vehicles had been sold in California as of 2025.
The outcome of the lawsuit could have implications far beyond California.
Several other states follow California’s vehicle emissions standards, meaning the case may influence how much authority states have to set their own climate policies.
U.S. Sen. Adam Schiff said California officials plan to fight the lawsuit and defend the state’s ability to regulate emissions.
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