Automakers Commit To Tougher California Emissions Deal, Defying Trump

The California Air Resources Board (CARB) and major automakers on Monday, August 17, confirmed they had finalized binding agreements to cut vehicle emissions in the state, defying the Trump administration’s push for weaker curbs on tailpipe pollution.

According to Reuters, the agreements with carmakers, including Ford Motor, Volkswagen, Honda Motor, and BMW, were first announced in July 2019 as voluntary measures, prompting anger from US President Donald Trump. 

A month later, the Justice Department opened an antitrust probe of the agreements, only to end it without action. 

The administration in March finalized a rollback of US vehicle emissions standards to require 1.5% annual increases in efficiency through 2026, well below the 5% annual increases in discarded rules under President Barack Obama.

Volvo Cars, owned by China’s Geely Holdings, also finalized its agreement on Monday. CARB stated the deal will cut vehicle greenhouse gas emissions through 2026 and “encourage innovation to accelerate the transition to electric vehicles, provide industry the certainty needed to make investments and create jobs, and save consumers money.”

Full Content: Reuters

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