Carmakers challenge California’s emission law

In 2004, automakers - represented by the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers and the Association of International Automobile Manufacturers - launched this counter-suit against California's Assembly Bill 1493. The bill requires carmakers to reduce vehicle emissions by 30% from 2009 on. Car companies argue that the legal text violates the authority of the federal government to define nationwide fuel efficiency standards. Moreover, it would influence vehicle costs, job creation and consumer choice in a negative way. The federal court's order to allow for a lawsuit against the strict standards is based on the assumption that the California regulation overrides federal clean air laws. The suit should go to trial on 30 January, 2007. Reactions California's Attorney General Bill Lockyer noted that the federal government's and automakers' failure to act appropriately in response to global warming has forced California and other states to take own initiative. "We are seing the harmful impacts of global warming today, and if we continue with 'business as usual', we can expect to see more and larger impacts in the future," said Lockyer. Background In 2002, California adopted AB 1493 as a measure to reduce global warming emissions from passenger cars. Since then, ten other U.S. states have stipulated similar laws. On 22 September, 2006, the Canadian Conservative government announced to adopt the California standards. These 11 states and Canada amount to more than a third of the North American auto market.