Nebraska declares another victory in series of lawsuits over electric truck mandates

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) — The State of Nebraska came to an agreement with several truck manufacturers on Monday, putting an end to a lawsuit over an electric truck mandate.

The Nebraska Attorney General’s Office called it a significant victory in Nebraska’s “three-front battle” against such mandates.

Last year, California adopted regulations requiring trucking companies doing business in the Golden State to switch to zero-emission vehicles by 2035.

Nebraska led several states in a lawsuit, and in January, California agreed to repeal the mandate.

SEE ALSO: California drops electric truck mandate; Nebraska AG calls it ‘a win for the rule of law’

But meanwhile, some heavy-duty truck manufacturers formed the Clean Truck Partnership and said they would follow the rule even if courts struck it down.

That prompted another lawsuit from Nebraska against Daimler, Navistar, Paccar, Volvo and the Truck and Engine Manufacturers Association.

The suit accused the companies of colluding to force a switch to electric vehicles.

SEE ALSO: Nebraska AG sues truck manufacturers, says they’re colluding to limit supply of diesel semis

But in Monday’s agreement, the manufacturers said the Clean Truck Partnership was void.

“Our economy depends on diesel-powered semi-trucks, the companies that provide them, and the truckers that drive them,” Attorney General Mike Hilgers said in a press release. “That industry is critical to keeping costs low for consumers and to supplying rural America. That industry has been under assault by California, and today’s victory ensures that the availability and costs of those trucks will be dictated by market forces, not unelected bureaucrats in another state.”

Nebraska also sued the Environmental Protection Agency over a proposed federal electric truck mandate during the Biden administration, but the Trump administration has agreed to repeal the rule.

SEE ALSO: ‘Beyond comprehension’: Nebraska sues California over EV trucking mandate