A lawsuit led by Washington, Colorado and California accuses the Trump administration of unlawfully withholding funds for new charging stations.
Some said they worried that California’s planned ban on gas-powered vehicles would raise the price of cars. Another cited “intense and misleading lobbying” by the oil industry.
Republicans, joined by a handful of Democrats, voted to eliminate California’s electric vehicle policy, which had been adopted by 11 other states.
The shift to cleaner power needs resources from China. An export ban just cut off some supplies.
The Trump administration asked Republicans in Congress to stop California’s ban on new gas-powered cars. The Senate parliamentarian said it wasn’t allowed.
President Trump rallied support for Elon Musk’s car company, but there may not be enough conservatives willing to buy electric cars to make up for the Democrats who now shun Teslas.
Experts say that President Trump may be able to slow the transition away from fossil fuels, but he won’t be able to stop it completely.
The backlash against the electric vehicle company has intensified as the billionaire ally of President Trump exerts his power over the federal government.
The administration is setting the stage for Congress to repeal a longstanding waiver that allows California to set its own pollution standards. State officials say the effort is illegal.
The funding, approved by Congress and overseen by the Environmental Protection Agency, had been blocked since January, when President Trump ordered a pause and review of climate and clean energy programs.