DETROIT — General Motors is changing course and will no longer back President Donald Trump's effort to stop California from setting its own emissions rules in an ongoing court fight.
GM CEO Mary Barra said GM is withdrawing from the pre-emption litigation between California, the Trump Administration and other non-government groups.
The move comes days after GM said it is increasing the number of electric vehicles it will bring to market. GM will offer 30 new EVs by 2025, that's up from its previous goal to offer 20 by 2023.
Barra said GM's EV goals align with President-Elect Joe Biden's endorsement of EVs.
In a letter from GM CEO Mary Barra to 11 environmental leaders, she wrote, "We are confident that the Biden Administration, California, and the U.S. auto industry, which supports 10.3 million jobs, can collaboratively find the pathway that will deliver an all-electric future. To better foster the necessary dialogue, we are immediately withdrawing from the preemption litigation and inviting other automakers to join us."
Barra said GM is "inspired" by Biden's Build Back Better plan, which looks to expand EV adoption, create one million jobs, install 550,000 charging stations, and "position American autoworkers and manufacturers to win the race for electrification."
Biden, California and GM "are aligned to address climate change" by reducing emissions, Barra also wrote.
U.S. Representative Debbie Dingell, D-Dearborn said GM did the right thing by dropping out of "this misguided lawsuit." Dingell said other automakers should follow GM's lead.
"We need all stakeholders to come to the table and work on a path forward," Dingell said in a statement. "The need for one national program for fuel economy, which increases targets year-over-year and delivers on the twin goals of giving the industry certainty while reducing greenhouse gas emissions, remains as urgent as ever."
The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
GM unveiled its ambitious EV plan last week for Wall Street. Of the 30 new EVs GM brings to market by 2025, two-thirds of them will be sold in the United States. GM also said it will invest $27 billion in electric vehicle and self-driving car development, which exceeds GM's combined gas and diesel planned investments for the first time in its history.
GM also moved up the launch dates for the all-electric Cadillac Lyriq SUV and the GMC Hummer pickup. It is also hiring 3,000 people to help it speed up its electric vehicle production.
Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, along with Toyota Motor Corp., also backed the Trump administration's effort to bar California from setting its own fuel efficiency rules or zero-emission requirements. FCA did not respond to a request for a comment.
California, 22 other states and environmental groups had challenged the Trump administration's claim that federal law forbids California from setting harsh emission standards and zero-emission mandates.
In September, California said all new passenger cars sold in the state must be all-electric by 2035, and no new internal combustion engine vehicles will be permitted to be sold there.
Ford Motor Co., Honda Motor Co. and Volkswagen AG did not back the administration's side. Volkswagen announced a voluntary deal with California in 2019 on emissions rules.
