Iowa Attorney General Leads Multi-State Effort Against California’s EV Mandate

Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird has spearheaded a coalition of eight state attorneys general in filing a court brief supporting Ohio’s lawsuit against the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) over California’s electric vehicle mandates, as reported by the Des Moines Register.

The Controversial Mandate

California’s mandate, passed in August 2022 by the California Air Resources Board, requires all new cars and vehicles sold in the state to be electric by 2035. The aim is to improve air quality and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

The Legal Challenge

Bird and her colleagues argue that the EPA violated states’ equal sovereignty rights by allowing California to pursue its own regulatory standards while preventing other states from doing so. They claim this decision will have far-reaching consequences beyond California’s borders.

“I will not stand by as American families are forced to pay the price for California’s green car mandates,” Bird stated in a press release. “California and the Biden-Harris EPA are eliminating purchasing options for families across the country and mandating they buy more expensive electric cars at a time when they are already struggling to make ends meet.”

Economic Concerns

The coalition’s amicus brief highlights concerns about the economic impact of California’s mandate. They argue that California’s significant market influence forces the automotive industry nationwide to adapt to its regulations, leading to increased costs for consumers in other states.

“That mandate surpasses the current market demand for such vehicles, compelling manufacturers to invest far more resources than they would absent the regulations. Those added expenses are inevitably passed down to consumers, including Petitioner States,” the brief reads.

Previous Legal Actions

This isn’t Bird’s first challenge to California’s EV regulations. In May, she joined a lawsuit against a California regulation that aimed to ban internal combustion engines in medium- and heavy-duty vehicles by 2045 and larger diesel vehicles by 2036.

EVXL’s Take

While the legal battle over California’s EV mandate raises important questions about state sovereignty and economic impact, it’s crucial to consider the broader implications for the transition to sustainable transportation. As we’ve seen in our coverage of Tesla and other EV manufacturers, the push for electric vehicles is gaining momentum globally.

This legal challenge highlights the complex balance between environmental goals and economic concerns that policymakers must navigate as the automotive industry evolves.