California Can Keep Its Strict Vehicle-Emission Limits, Court Rules

A three-judge panel rejects arguments by Republican-led states that the rules violate sovereignty and raise costs in their areas.

Nissan and Volkswagen electric cars sit parked at a Charge Point EV charging station in Corte Madera, Calif., on July 28, 2023. Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

California can continue to set its own limits for motor vehicle emissions after a federal court ruling April 9, despite legal challenges from fuel companies and 17 Republican-led states.

A three-judge panel of the U.S. Appeals Court upheld the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) decision to grant California a waiver, allowing the state to set stricter tailpipe emissions limits and electric-vehicle requirements than those set by the federal government, which were revoked by the EPA in 2019 under then-President Donald Trump and later restored by President Joe Biden.