The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) investigated the Clean Truck Partnership, a 2023 agreement between the California Air Resources Board (CARB) and major truck manufacturers—Daimler Truck, International Motors, PACCAR, and Volvo Group, which control up to 99% of the U.S. heavy-duty truck market. The FTC raised antitrust concerns, stating the agreement restricted competition by:
- Forcing manufacturers to produce zero-emission engines, limiting internal combustion engine output, even if CARB regulations were later invalidated.
- Allowing manufacturers to enforce restrictions against competitors.
- Locking in terms with limited political accountability, reducing flexibility for modifications.
The investigation closed on August 12, 2025, after the manufacturers committed to not enforcing the agreement’s terms against each other and to avoid similar restrictive agreements with state regulators in the future. The FTC’s concerns were heightened by President Trump’s June 2025 legislation revoking CARB’s EPA waivers, which had allowed California to set stricter emissions standards. The manufacturers also filed a lawsuit against CARB, arguing they were caught between conflicting federal and state regulations, creating uncertainty for production planning. The FTC’s actions aimed to prevent anticompetitive practices and ensure market flexibility.