GM Agrees: California Can Set Emission Standards

General Motors has announced its intent to recognize California’s authority to set vehicle emission standards under the Clean Air Act.

The declaration makes the automaker eligible for government fleet purchases by the State of California.

The automaker committed to recognize California’s authority and comply with its regulations in a letter to California Gov. Gavin Newsom.  

The move is a reversal of the automaker’s backing of an effort by the then-Trump Administration to bar California from setting its own emissions rules.

In November 2019, California announced plans to halt all new vehicle purchases for government fleets from automakers still backing former President Donald Trump in the tailpipe emissions battle.

California reportedly spent $58.6 million on General Motors vehicles between 2016 and 2018.

GM had previously backed emissions reductions in California’s 2019 deal with other automakers, but asked the Biden Administration to give automakers more flexibility in hitting carbon reduction targets.

California will ban the sale of new gasoline powered passenger vehicles as of 2035. President Biden, in contrast, has called for 50% of new vehicles sold to be electric or plug-in hybrid by 2030.