Nebraska Attorney General Mike Hilgers has filed a lawsuit against major truck manufacturers alleging collusion to phase out diesel engines in favor of electric trucks, amid stringent regulations imposed by California. He argues this move threatens logistics companies and increases consumer costs, and he seeks to terminate the Clean Truck Partnership, which promotes zero-emission vehicles by 2036. Hilgers labels the initiative a violation of antitrust laws and claims it lacks public and legislative approval.
Attorney General Mike Hilgers of Nebraska has initiated legal action against four prominent heavy-duty truck manufacturers, asserting their involvement in a coordinated effort to eliminate diesel engines in favor of electric trucks. The lawsuit, which includes significant players such as Daimler, Navistar International, Paccar, and Volvo Group North America, alleges the existence of an antitrust conspiracy coupled with California’s stringent environmental regulations. Hilgers contends that this initiative will impose severe disruptions on logistics companies and escalate consumer costs. The lawsuit’s foundation is a recent agreement, identified as the Clean Truck Partnership, which allows manufacturers to conform to California’s rigorous emission standards while preparing for a future devoid of gas-powered vehicles. Hilgers seeks to annul this partnership, characterizing it as an unlawful attempt to transition rapidly to electric trucking without adequate public or legislative backing, and presenting a considerable threat to the economic viability of the logistics sector in Nebraska.
The ongoing transition towards electric vehicles, particularly in California, has garnered significant attention at both state and national levels. The state has implemented ambitious regulations to phase out gas and diesel engines, aiming for half of all heavy-duty trucks sold by 2035 to be electric, and establishing a goal for complete zero-emissions operations by 2045. However, various stakeholders, including Nebraska’s Attorney General, have expressed grave concerns that such movements may overwhelm existing logistics systems and the electric grid. Hilgers’ actions reflect a broader resistance against what he perceives as federal overreach and collusion between state regulators and the trucking industry.
The lawsuit filed by Nebraska’s Attorney General reflects a significant pushback against California’s aggressive regulatory measures targeting the trucking industry. With implications for logistics costs and operational feasibility, Hilgers’ claim emphasizes the need for a cautious approach to the transition towards electric vehicles. The outcome of this lawsuit may play a crucial role in shaping future regulations around emissions standards and the viability of gas-powered vehicles in an increasingly electric-centric era.
Original Source: www.foxbusiness.com
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