Where We Go from Here on States’ Zero-Emissions Cars and Trucks Progress

The author contends that the overturning of EPA waivers for California's car and truck standards is a temporary setback that should motivate states to accelerate the transition to zero-emissions vehicles. The document proposes a strategy involving legal challenges by California, the development of new rules like Advanced Clean Cars III, the adoption of standards by Section 177 states, and the implementation of Indirect Source Rules and Dirty Cargo Fees to address pollution hotspots.

• Senate Republicans used the Congressional Review Act to overturn the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) issuance of waivers for California's truck and car standards, a move the author describes as an unlawful maneuver that benefits the oil industry at the expense of US competitiveness in global vehicle markets against China, Europe, and South Korea.
• Despite the loss of waivers, California retains authority under the Clean Air Act to adopt regulations. The author recommends that the California Air Resources Board immediately develop the Advanced Clean Cars III rule and a new rule for trucks to signal to the auto industry that electrification remains a viable investment.
• The author suggests that the more than twelve Section 177 states that have adopted protective tailpipe standards should prepare to adopt new car and truck rules and consider a new memorandum of understanding similar to the 2020 agreement.
• To fill regulatory gaps, states are encouraged to pursue Indirect Source Rules for pollution magnets like ports and mega-warehouses, as well as Dirty Cargo Fees. Legislation to advance Indirect Source Rules has already been introduced in California (Pollution Hotspots Solution Act/AB 914), New York (Clean Deliveries Act), and New Jersey.
• The author calls for federal legislators to include significant funding in upcoming transportation bills to offset the impact of the waiver overturn, specifically mentioning the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure program and the Inflation Reduction Act's Clean Ports Program.

APA

Martinez, A. (2025). Where We Go from Here on States’ Zero-Emissions Cars and Trucks Progress. Earthjustice. https://earthjustice.org/experts/adrian-martinez/where-we-go-from-here-on-states-zero-emissions-cars-and-trucks-progress

Chicago

Martinez, Adrian. Where We Go from Here on States’ Zero-Emissions Cars and Trucks Progress. Earthjustice, 2025. https://earthjustice.org/experts/adrian-martinez/where-we-go-from-here-on-states-zero-emissions-cars-and-trucks-progress.

Wikipedia

{{cite press release |last1=Martinez |first1=Adrian |title=Where We Go from Here on States’ Zero-Emissions Cars and Trucks Progress |publisher=Earthjustice |date=22 May 2025 |url=https://earthjustice.org/experts/adrian-martinez/where-we-go-from-here-on-states-zero-emissions-cars-and-trucks-progress |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@misc{martinez2025where, author = {Martinez, Adrian}, title = {{Where We Go from Here on States’ Zero-Emissions Cars and Trucks Progress}}, publisher = {Earthjustice}, year = {2025}, month = may, url = {https://earthjustice.org/experts/adrian-martinez/where-we-go-from-here-on-states-zero-emissions-cars-and-trucks-progress}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }