California Seeks Formal EPA Preemption Waiver For Tough ZEV Rules

California air officials are asking EPA to approve a preemption waiver for the state’s Advanced Clean Cars II (ACC II) program -- which includes a requirement that all light-duty vehicles be electric, plug-in hybrid or fuel cell by 2035 -- setting the stage for the agency to weigh whether the policy aligns with the Clean Air Act’s criteria. The move, expected ever since the California Air Resources Board (CARB) finalized its rule in August, comes as EPA is already defending...