Honda, 4 other automakers file motion to defend California emissions standards

MANILA: Honda and four other carmakers have filed a motion to intervene in a federal lawsuit defending California's authority to establish its own stringent emissions standards under the Clean Air Act.

Honda, Ford Motor Company, Volkswagen Group, BMW Group, and Volvo Cars released this joint statement: “As the five original California Framework companies, we stood with California in 2020 in support of the state's ability to set stricter vehicle emissions standards. Today's decision by Ford, Volkswagen Group, BMW Group, Honda, and Volvo to intervene in this suit reaffirms that commitment. We urge the Court to affirm the EPA's Waiver Decision and allow California to protect people's health and combat climate change by setting clean air standards. Doing so would move us closer to a zero-emission transportation future and make a positive contribution to the global regulatory framework.”

The Waiver Decision and California's power to control greenhouse gas emissions from new light-duty motor vehicles are supported by Ford, Volkswagen, BMW, Honda, and Volvo, which sold millions of vehicles in the United States in 2021. The five automakers  have all pledged to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in their fleets.

The Motion of Intervene recognizes that California has long worked alongside the EPA to regulate the automotive industry as the industry continues to innovate and deploy ever-lower-emitting technologies. This has encouraged the carmakers in addressing emissions from the vehicles they sell, particularly in states like California where air pollution is very severe.

The motion also acknowledges California's role as a leader in promoting emissions reductions from motor vehicles. It states that this role is crucial in enabling the automotive sector to address these issues effectively and consistently.

“Confirming the validity of the Waiver Decision will promote stability and regulatory certainty while the industry goes electric,” the Motion of Intervene stated.

Honda, Ford, Volkswagen, BMW, and Volvo have all advocated for more stringent greenhouse gas standards. They have agreed with California to follow stricter standards for Model Years 2021 and 2022 than the applicable federal rules.

Photo from Honda

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