General Motors will recognize the state of California’s right to set vehicle emissions standards in accordance with the Clean Air Act. It comes three years after GM showed support to President Donal Trump’s attempt to ban California’s autonomy on setting emissions rules — a ruling that was reversed after President Joe Biden assumed office last year.
The American auto-maker had since laid out plans to go all-electric by 20. The company is set to introduce 30 new EVs by 2025, including the recently announced Silverado EV and Equinox EV. GM also announced a 30 percent increase in EV and autonomous tech spending through 2025 to $35 bn.
Now, in a letter to California’s Governor, Gavin Newsom, GM stated that they were “committed to complying with California’s regulations.”
Read Also: California To Be Allowed To Set Its Own Emission Standards Again
Although the Biden administration aims to ensure 50% of new vehicles sold in the U.S. are EVs or PHEVs by 2030, California is on track to completely outlaw the sale of internal combustion engine vehicles from 2035. In addition, the EPA has finalized new vehicle emissions requirements through 2026.
A report by Reuters highlights that it’ll also mean that General Motors is once again eligible for government fleet purchase by the state of California. In 2019, California announced plans to stop purchasing fleet vehicles from carmakers that supported President Trump’s efforts to ban the state’s ability to set its own emissions regulations. For General Motors on the list, the news was big — California purchased $58.6 million in GM vehicles in the two years between 2016 and 2018.
On Sunday, California Governor Gavin Newsom said, “GM is joining California in our fight for clean air and emission reduction as part of the company’s pursuit of a zero-emissions future. This agreement will help accelerate California’s nation-leading commitment to tackling the climate crisis.”
