in a heated battle over America’s auto future, Texas has boldly moved to block California’s strict gas-car bans. On August 25, 2025, Texas tabled a motion to intervene in a federal lawsuit, aiming to challenge California from imposing its aggressive electric vehicle (EV) policy as a national standard.
This clash is not only about cars but also about state rights, the future for America’s energy, and consumer choice. The battle could influence how Americans drive since President Trump, Congress, and big oil and auto companies are involved.
Why California’s Rules Push for More EVs on the Road
For decades now, California has led the campaign for cleaner cars. This is attributed to the 1967 Clean Air Act, which allows the state to set stricter emission rules than the federal government. However, it still needs special permission, known as “waiver” from the United States Environmental Protection Agency.
So far, 17 states, including Washington, D.C., have followed California’s lead. These states make up 40% of the country’s car market and 25% of the truck market, according to the California Air Resources Board.
In 2022, California passed a rule called Advanced Clean Car II. The rule mandated that all new cars, trucks, and SUVs sold in the state must be zero-emission. This meant that the state could not allow new gas or diesel vehicles.
According to Governor Gavin Newsom, the rule will fight climate change and clear up smog that has been choking cities like Los Angeles. However, states like Texas are arguing that these rules are too strict and unfriendly and that they could impose them on the whole country.
How Congress and Trump Are Challenging California’s Rules
In May 2025, Congress cancelled three EPA waivers that allowed California to have its own emission rules for cars and trucks. A law called the Congressional Review Act (CRA) made this possible.
The Senate voted 51-44, ignoring advice from its parliamentarian, which is a rare occurrence. This has only happened a few times in the past 90 years. The House also approved the cancellation, and President Trump went ahead to sign them into law.
The Government Accountability Office and the Senate parliamentarian stated that it was illegal to use CRA to block California’s rules. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer warned that this could set a precedent that might be used by future presidents to cancel rules.
On the other hand, Senate Majority Leader John Thune argued that California’s rules ought to be cancelled because they were hurting consumers and the economy at large.
Texas Steps In
On August 22, 2025, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton filed a motion in a California federal court to join the lawsuit. Paxton said, “Texas won’t let California force its crazy green energy rules on the nation.” These remarks represented the stance of Texas, that California’s EV rules are limiting consumer choice, hurting the economy, and undermining America’s energy independence.
Texas joined forces with America First Legal (AFL), which, through its Vice President, Daniel Epstein, alleged that California’s move to push the rules is an abuse of the law. The parties argue that since automotive companies don’t make different vehicles for each state, California’s rules would force all cars in the U.S. to be electric vehicles (EVs), which would raise their prices and limit options for households.
Big Industries vs. Green Groups
The Alliance for Automotive Innovation, which represents carmakers, supported Trump and Texas, saying that California’s EV goals were impractical. The American Petroleum Institute (API) and American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers also supported the cancellation, saying that the move by California would hurt consumers and slash oil and gas jobs.
On the other hand, green groups, such as environmental and health groups, support California’s rules, saying that they save lives. According to Michael Kleeman, a professor at UC Davis, lenient rules could lead to more asthma attacks and premature deaths.
Groups like the Sierra Club and Zero Emission Transportation Association argued that the cancellation of California’s rules is an attack on the Clean Air Act.
California Fights Back
To fight back against the cancellation, Governor Newsom announced a lawsuit to block Congress’s action. He also ordered agencies to keep adhering to the state’s rules. Newsom also formed the Affordable Clean Cars Coalition with 10 states, including New York and Colorado, to set clear car rules under the Clean Air Act.
Newsom also warned that by rolling back EV rules, it would weaken U.S. competitiveness, making it fall far behind China, which is already the largest EV producer.
Conclusion
The tug-of-war involving California’s EV rules is not only about cars. The war could decide America’s future. Those who support California’s rules argue that it drives innovation and protects the health of Americans.
Critics, on the other hand, argue that it would limit the choice for families, raise the costs of EV cars, and increase Americans’ reliance on China’s EV batteries. As lawsuits continue to pile up, it is highly likely that the courts will decide the outcome.