California Withdraws Electric Truck Mandate Following Multi-State Legal Challenge
Alabama, 15 other States and the Nebraska Trucking Association claim victory against California and the EPA
California has agreed to repeal its Advanced Clean Fleets (ACF) regulation, a mandate that would have required trucking companies operating within the state to transition from internal-combustion engine vehicles to electric trucks. The decision follows a lawsuit filed by a coalition of 17 states and the Nebraska Trucking Association, challenging the regulation's legality and economic impact.
The ACF regulation aimed to phase out diesel-powered trucks, mandating the adoption of electric vehicles by fleets operating in California, regardless of their home state. Opponents argued that the rule would impose significant costs on trucking companies, with electric trucks estimated at $400,000 each, excluding infrastructure expenses. They also contended that the regulation would disrupt the national supply chain and burden the electric grid.
Nebraska Attorney General Mike Hilgers, who led the coalition, praised the group’s success: “California and an unaccountable EPA are trying to transform our national trucking industry and supply chain infrastructure. This effort—coming at a time of heightened inflation and with an already-strained electrical grid—will devastate the trucking and logistics industry, raise prices for customers, and impact untold numbers of jobs across Nebraska and the country. Neither California nor the EPA has the constitutional power to dictate these nationwide rules to Americans. I am proud to lead our efforts to stop these unconstitutional attempts to remake our economy and am grateful to our sister states for joining our coalitions,” stated Hilgers.
Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall criticized the ACF regulation for its potential nationwide implications. "California doesn't get to run the country," Marshall said. "Their reckless attempt to force a costly and unworkable electric-truck mandate on businesses nationwide was unlawful and would have been economically disastrous. This rule would have devastated trucking operations that use California's ports, forcing them to buy $400,000 electric-trucks and invest in infrastructure they can't afford. I'm proud Alabama helped stop it. This is a win for common sense, for the supply chain, and for every state that refuses to bow to California's radical agenda."
Under the Clean Air Act, California requires a waiver from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to enforce such regulations. In January 2025, California withdrew its waiver request, leading the EPA to close the file on the matter. This move effectively nullified the ACF regulation.
The lawsuit against the ACF regulation was supported by Attorneys General from 15 States: Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Utah, West Virginia, and Wyoming. The Nebraska Trucking Association and the Arizona State Legislature also joined as plaintiffs.
The full settlement agreement may be read HERE.
