Attorney General Mike Hilgers announced Monday that Nebraska has filed two lawsuits aimed at blocking the federal government and California from imposing electric vehicle mandates on trucking.
In the first case, Nebraska led 24 states in filing a petition for review of an Environmental Protection Agency rule setting stringent tailpipe emissions standards for heavy-duty vehicles that effectively force manufacturers to produce more electric trucks. The petition was filed in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit.Ìý
In the second case, Nebraska is among 17 states and the Nebraska Trucking Association to file a lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California. The suit challenges a set of California regulations that require certain trucking fleet owners and operators to retire internal-combustion trucks and transition to electric trucks. The rule applies to fleets that operate within California, even if they are based outside the state.
"Neither California nor the EPA has the constitutional power to dictate these nationwide rules to Americans," Hilgers said.
He said both sets of regulations threaten Nebraska's trucking industry, as well as the state's agricultural economy and other businesses and consumers who rely on trucks to move products. He pointed to the COVID-related shipping disruptions as an example of the potential impact on people and the economy.Ìý
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He also argued that it would be nearly impossible to comply with the regulations. He said few of the millions of trucks on the road are electric and there are no truck-charging stations in Nebraska and almost none across the country. In addition, he said, the amount of electricity needed to power such stations would overload the electrical grid.Ìý
States joining the lawsuit against the EPA are: Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, West Virginia and Wyoming.
Those participating in the California suit are: Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Missouri, Montana, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Utah, West Virginia and Wyoming. The Arizona State Legislature also joined the suit.
These are the 10 most popular electric cars in America, according to Edmunds
10 of the most popular EVs available today
1. Tesla Model 3: EPA-estimated 358 miles of maximum range
2. Chevrolet Bolt EV: EPA-estimated 259 miles of maximum range
3. Ford Mustang Mach-E: EPA-estimated 312 miles of maximum range
4. Hyundai Ioniq 5: EPA-estimated 303 miles of maximum range
5. Genesis G80 Electrified: EPA-estimated 282 miles of maximum range
6. BMW iX: EPA-estimated 324 miles of maximum range
7. Ford F-150 Lightning: EPA-estimated 320 miles of maximum range
8. Kia Niro EV: EPA-estimated 253 miles of maximum range
9. Polestar 2: EPA-estimated 270 miles of maximum range
10. Porsche Taycan: EPA-estimated 203 miles of maximum range