The Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) and the National Truck Equipment Association (NTEA) have filed a lawsuit against some of California’s electric vehicle mandates, which the state plans to implement through its Advanced Clean Fleets rules.
Specific mandates require medium and heavy trucksincluding larger pickup trucks (gross vehicle weight exceeding 8,500 pounds), to switch to electric power starting in the 2036 model year.
The mandates are aimed at manufacturers and fleet operators, and would also affect vehicles purchased and registered in another state – the rules would result in some vehicles being banned from entering the state.
As stated in the lawsuit, which was filed on October 8 in the Eastern District of California in U.S. District Court, SEMA and NTEA are seeking immediate declaratory and injunctive relief to stop the mandates, alleging that they far exceed constitutional authority. and California state statute.
SEMA and NTEA also assert that mandates have the potential to impede innovationas they favor one type of powertrain technology over other solutions.
SEMA and NTEA said they filed the lawsuit on behalf of their members who own and operate fleets of vehicles affected by the mandates, or manufacture, market and sell specialty vehicles, trucks and automotive aftermarket products that may become obsolete in California and in other markets. after the introduction of mandates.
When it comes to passenger vehicles, California, starting in 2035, prohibit the sale of vehicles powered exclusively by a gasoline engine. Plug-in hybrids with an electric range of at least 80 kilometers will still be permitted. The rules also do not prohibit people from keeping their gas-powered vehicles, or buying them used, after 2035.