General Motors mentioned it can acknowledge California’s authority to set automobile emission requirements underneath the Clean Air Act.
The automaker despatched a letter to California Gov. Gavin Newsom on Sunday saying it is “committed to complying with California’s regulations.”
GM’s transfer now places it on the checklist of carmakers to be eligible for presidency fleet purchases by the state of California, together with purchases of GM’s upcoming electrical automobiles, GM mentioned in a information launch Sunday.
Three years in the past, Newsom introduced the state wouldn’t buy any GM automobiles for its authorities fleets as a result of GM had supported then-President Donald Trump’s efforts to ban California from making its personal emissions guidelines.
“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,” Newsom mentioned in an announcement following GM’s newest transfer. “This agreement will help accelerate California’s nation-leading commitment to tackling the climate crisis. We welcome GM in our clean vehicle revolution.”
GM is investing $35 billion by 2025 to develop EVs and self-driving vehicles. GM’s self-driving subsidiary, Cruise, is presently testing and validating self-driving rideshare shuttles in San Francisco and GM CEO Mary Barra has mentioned Cruise will convey private self-driving vehicles to market by the center of the last decade.
GM has additionally promised to convey a minimum of 30 new EVs to market by 2025 and it has mentioned it desires its whole lineup to be all-electric by 2035.
More:GM strikes up launch date for all-electric heavy-duty pickups
In November 2020, shortly after Joe Biden was elected president, GM reversed its assist of Trump within the tailpipe emissions battle and now says it is “proud” to share California’s imaginative and prescient.
“We consider everybody ought to have entry to inexpensive, long-range electrical automobile choices, and we’re dedicated to working in collaboration with California to obtain an equitable transportation future,” mentioned Omar Vargas, GM’s vp and head of Global Public Policy, in an announcement.
During the Trump administration, California, 22 other states and environmental groups had challenged the administration’s claim that federal law forbids California from setting harsh emission standards and zero-emission mandates.
Ford Motor Co., Honda Motor Co. and Volkswagen AG did not back the Trump administration.
California announced in 2020 it plans to ban the sale of new gasoline-powered cars starting in 2035. The Biden administration has not endorsed that, but rather has set a target that 50% of new vehicles sold by 2030 be EVs or plug-in hybrids.
The Environmental Protection Agency, or EPA, last year said it was working to restore legal authority to California to set emission rules, including zero-emission mandates.
More:GM reveals possible self-driving concept car for luxury buyers, mobile hotel room
More:GM’s BrightDrop adds Walmart as EV customer, expands order with FedEx
Contact Jamie L. LaReau at 313-222-2149 or jlareau@freepress.com. Follow her on Twitter @jlareauan. Read extra on General Motors and sign up for our autos newsletter. Become a subscriber.