California state agencies to no longer buy gas-powered sedans, GM, Fiat Chrysler, Toyota vehicles
Starting immediately, California will no longer buy solely gas-powered sedans, shifting instead to hybrid and electric vehicles. Additionally, starting in January, California will no longer purchase vehicles from automakers who haven't cut a deal with CARB to lower emissions.
Following the EPA and NHTSA revoking California's authority to set its own greenhouse gas rules, the state had reached an agreement to relaxed standards with four automakers, Ford, Honda, BMW and Volkswagen. However, more than a dozen other auto manufacturers including GM, Fiat Chrysler, and Toyota, who sided against California in favor of national standards and who represent the majority of the $74M of passenger fleet purchases in 2018 will be affected by the ban. Negotiations into a possible compromise between California and federal standards agencies broke down in February, and in September the Department of Justice initiated an antitrust probe based on the emissions agreements with CARB appearing to be "inconsistent with federal law."
“Car makers that have chosen to be on the wrong side of history will be on the losing end of California’s buying power,” California Governor Gavin Newsom said in a statement.
Toyota USA tweeted:
We believe fuel economy standards should continuously improve. We joined a Coalition to set one federal standard for fuel emissions. We are not taking sides politically. We’re focused on improving fuel economy & environmental impact with every new car we put on the road.
To which Newsom replied:
You can try to disguise the decision you made -- but it won’t change the facts.
You chose to go the way of Donald Trump and the oil industry over clean air and our kids’ future.
There is no denying that.