California’s electric truck mandate faces fierce legal challenge, accused of creating an illegal cartel to force electrification.
At a Glance
- American Free Enterprise Chamber and Midwest truckers sue California over electric truck directives
- Lawsuit alleges illegal conspiracy between California Air Resources Board and truck manufacturers
- Plaintiffs claim regulations will inflate costs, reduce options, and force electric truck adoption
- Legal action part of wider resistance to California’s emissions standards
- Suit seeks to block enforcement of the Clean Truck Partnership
California’s Overreach: Bypassing Federal Law for Electric Truck Agenda
In a bold move to defend American businesses and consumers, the American Free Enterprise Chamber of Commerce (AmFree) and Midwest trucking operators have filed a lawsuit against California regulators. The suit alleges that the Golden State has illegally sidestepped federal law to enforce a transition to electric trucks, potentially devastating the trucking industry and driving up costs for everyday Americans.
At the heart of the lawsuit is the accusation that the California Air Resources Board (CARB) and major truck manufacturers have formed a cartel to phase out internal-combustion engines by 2036. This alleged conspiracy aims to reshape the entire trucking industry without proper federal oversight or approval.
Meanwhile the Biden Administration is handing out millions to California to push more electric vehicles.
The Clean Truck Partnership: A Trojan Horse for Electrification
California’s Clean Truck Partnership agreement offers temporary regulatory relief to truck manufacturers in exchange for adopting zero-emissions technology. However, this seemingly benign arrangement is being called out for what it truly is: a thinly veiled attempt to create a monopoly on electric trucks.
“The agreement bakes into it a number of rules that California has been trying to get in place that will mandate the complete electrification of the trucking sector in just over a decade,” said Michael Buschbacher, attorney for the American Free Enterprise Chamber of Commerce.
This partnership involves major players like Cummins Inc., Daimler Truck North America, Ford, and General Motors. The lawsuit contends that this agreement creates a cartel that benefits manufacturers with profits, subsidies, and tax credits, while passing the hefty costs onto consumers and trucking companies.
The Real Cost of California’s Green Dreams
Trucking companies Meiborg Brothers Inc. and TanTara Transportation Corp. have joined the lawsuit, claiming direct harm from California’s regulations. These companies argue that electric trucks are significantly more expensive, have higher maintenance costs, and lower resale values compared to traditional diesel trucks.
The lawsuit suggests that these regulations will not only increase costs for trucking companies but will ultimately lead to higher prices for goods and services across the board. This is yet another example of how misguided environmental policies can have far-reaching economic consequences for hardworking Americans.
A Growing Resistance to California’s Eco-Tyranny
This lawsuit is not an isolated incident. Similar litigation has been initiated by Nebraska Attorney General Mike Hilgers, accusing CARB and manufacturers of an “industry-wide conspiracy.” It’s clear that states across the nation are waking up to the threat posed by California’s radical environmental agenda.
AmFree is seeking a court order to block the enforcement of the Clean Truck Partnership, advocating for a technology-neutral approach to climate policy that supports economic growth rather than stifling it. This lawsuit represents a crucial stand against government overreach and the protection of American businesses and consumers from the harmful effects of misguided environmental extremism.
