GM Reverses on Trump, Exits Suit Challenging California's Tougher Emissions Standards

by Rebecca Beitsch (The Hill) ... General Motors will no longer be siding with the Trump administration in a legal battle to hinder California’s ability to set tougher vehicle emissions standards.

In a letter to environmental groups involved in the same suit, General Motors said they have withdrawn from the litigation, citing the incoming Biden administration as well as their own plans to electrify their suite of vehicles.

“To better foster the necessary dialogue, we are immediately withdrawing from the preemption litigation and inviting other automakers to join us," the company continued.

With General Motors’s exit, Toyota and Fiat Chrysler are left on the suit, as is the Coalition for Sustainable Automotive Regulation, which also includes Nissan, Hyundai, Kia, Isuzu, Maserati and Ferrari, among others.

“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 in a statement.

If the Trump rollback isn’t struck down in court, the incoming Biden administration will have to reverse the rule and craft their own. Such a rule would likely require greater electrification by automakers given Biden’s climate plan’s emphasis on greater electrification.

“Given this shared enthusiasm and the President-elect’s call to bring the country back together, we believe there is now a path to achieve agreement on a national standard and complementary policies to accelerate the electrification of the light-duty transportation sector,” GM wrote in its letter.

“The need for one national program for fuel economy, which increases targets year-over-year and delivers on the twin goals of giving the industry certainty while reducing greenhouse gas emissions, remains as urgent as ever," she (Rep. Debbie Dingell (D-Mich.)) added. READ MORE includes VIDEO