Nebraska Attorney General Wins Battle Against California's Electric Vehicle Mandates

Nebraska Attorney General Mike Hilgers is celebrating a significant victory after the four major semitruck manufacturers sued last fall agreed that California's electric vehicle standards and emissions rules are now "voided." Hilgers had announced a state-level antitrust lawsuit against Daimler Truck North America, International Motors Inc., PACCAR Inc., and Volvo Group North America, as well as the Truck and Engine Manufacturers Association. The manufacturers stated that the California rules are no longer binding, without assuming liability. Hilgers sees this as a culmination of a multi-front war against a destructive ideological agenda.

Key Takeaways:

The four major semitruck manufacturers have agreed that California's electric vehicle standards and emissions rules are now "voided" as a result of the lawsuit filed by Nebraska Attorney General Mike Hilgers.
The lawsuit targeted a joint "Clean Truck Partnership" involving the manufacturers, trade association, and California regulators that required regulatory compliance even if those mandates were unlawful.
Hilgers describes the partnership as an "oligopoly" that has secured an "oligopoly" on producing 99.9% of trucks over 33,000 pounds, including cement mixers, dump trucks, and heavy semi-tractors.
The Energy Marketers of America and Renewable Fuels Nebraska had joined Hilgers in the lawsuit, which was filed in Lincoln County District Court.
The lawsuit is the third prong in Nebraska's fight against California-initiated "shortsighted and damaging electric-truck mandates."
Hilgers has also challenged California's "Advanced Clean Fleet" regulations in federal court, which had spurred the subsequent "Clean Truck Partnership."
California state regulators agreed to repeal the "Advanced Clean Fleet" regulations this May.
Nebraska, along with 24 other states, also sued the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency last year seeking to repeal EV mandates and regulations.
The U.S. Federal Trade Commission chair Andrew Ferguson has praised Nebraska's actions, saying that Hilgers is doing "incredible work for the people of Nebraska and the whole country."

Statistics:

99.9% of trucks over 33,000 pounds are produced by the four targeted manufacturers.
24 other states joined Nebraska in suing the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency last year to repeal EV mandates and regulations.
2023: California regulators praised the Clean Truck Partnership as an "unprecedented collaboration" that "marks a new era in our zero-emission future."

Sources:

(https://nebraskalegislature.gov/laws/statutes.php?statute=59-801) Nebraska Statutes - 59-801
(https://nebraskalegislature.gov/laws/statutes.php?statute=59-1603) Nebraska Statutes - 59-1603
(https://nebraskaexaminer.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/semitruck-manufacturers-CTP-antitrust-lawsuit.pdf) Nebraska Examiner - Semitruck Manufacturers CTP Antitrust Lawsuit
(https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/11/19/nebraska-sues-four-major-semitruck-manufacturers-nationwide-for-antitrust-violations/) Nebraska Examiner - Nebraska Sues Four Major Semitruck Manufacturers Nationwide for Antitrust Violations
(https://ww2.arb.ca.gov/sites/default/files/2024-10/Final%20Clean%20Truck%20Partnership%20Agreement_CARB%2C%20EMA%2C%20and%20Ford%202023_07_05.pdf) California Air Resources Board - Clean Truck Partnership Agreement
(https://nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/california-agrees-to-repeal-electric-truck-emissions-rule-nebraska-led-opposition/) Nebraska Examiner - California Agrees to Repeal Electric Truck Emissions Rule, Nebraska-Led Opposition
(https://nebraskaexaminer.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/hilgers_ZJW_111924-02.jpg) Nebraska Attorney General Mike Hilgers, center, announces a new antitrust lawsuit Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2024
(https://x.com/mikehilgers/status/1955267711447236839) Nebraska Attorney General Mike Hilgers - X Post