The California Air Resources Board (CARB) filed a lawsuit this week in Alameda County Superior Court against four commercial truck manufacturers for allegedly breaking the terms of the 2023 Clean Truck Partnership (CTP), a series of regulations limiting truck sales and greenhouse gas emissions in the Golden State.
Formed through an agreement between Daimler Truck North America (DTNA), Volvo Group North America (VTNA), PACCAR, and Navistar and CARB in July 2023, the Clean Truck Partnership aims to bridge state and federal emissions standards while driving continued progress in zero-emission vehicle innovation.
Under the agreement, manufacturers committed to complying with California's Advanced Clean Trucks and Omnibus regulations regardless of future federal rulings, and agreed not to dispute California's right to enforce stronger emissions requirements.
[Related: DOJ sues California over Clean Truck Partnership, alleging violation of federal law]
In return, CARB agreed to adjust specific heavy-duty engine regulations, offering manufacturers greater flexibility and extended timelines to meet emissions requirements. CARB stated in its filing that it has already carried out the necessary rulemaking processes and hosted the workshops outlined in the agreement.
The lawsuit contends that the manufacturers have clearly indicated they no longer plan to uphold their clean truck sales commitments and may be on the verge of completely violating the agreement. CARB maintains that financial compensation alone cannot remedy the harm, since the partnership was intended to deliver real-world emissions reductions rather than monetary gains. The agency is asking the court to require the companies to fulfill their obligations. If that proves impossible, alternatively, to permit CARB to withdraw from the contract and recover its associated costs.
The OEMs previously took legal action of their own.
Filed in August, the OEMs' lawsuit aims to nullify the Clean Truck Partnership, arguing that California is improperly enforcing heavy-duty truck emissions standards that Congress has recently preempted under the federal Clean Air Act.
A hearing on the OEMs' request for a preliminary injunction is slated for October 31, followed by a November 21 session in which CARB will seek dismissal of the case.
The court's decisions could have broad implications. More specifically, it could potentially redefine how states and the federal government coordinate on emissions policy and determining the ultimate fate of the Clean Truck Partnership.
