California Air Resources Board, or CARB, has been one of the most strict environmental agencies in the nation. Since the 1970s, automakers have created “California Edition” cars modified to meet emissions standards, and aftermarket companies add “CARB Certified” to comply with strict regulations.

If any emissions-related parts don’t have that sticker during the visual inspection portion of a smog check, it’s an automatic fail. California was also one of the first states to ban the sales of new gas-powered cars by 2030, putting several automakers under the gun to shift priorities since California is one of the largest markets in the nation.

Most recently, a former CARB member of almost 20 years, Daniel Sterling, said the Golden State planned to ban diesel freighter trucks in the state. By 2036, he said, all trucks had to have zero emissions.

As Trump returns to office, CARB is reversing the ban – but Sterling noted that several obstacles would have challenged the ruling regardless of who was in office.

Experts say it would be tough to achieve

“What you’re doing is telling all of these truck fleets, thousands of truck fleets, that they must purchase [all-electric] vehicles,” Sterling told ABC over Zoom. Financially, that would put freight companies in a tough position, as there aren’t many EV semi-trucks to choose from, as well as those trained to drive them.

Leanne Randolph, CARB’s chair, said the withdrawal of the ban was due to the “uncertainty of the upcoming administration.”

Steve Swatt, a politics expert, noted CARB’s knowledge of Trump’s disdain for the state’s strict emissions policies and said it was a strategy to ensure the ban isn’t killed off.

“If California sought a waiver in the next four years, they wouldn’t get it,” Swatt said. “Trump has already signaled that he wants to do away with these policies, even those with federal approval, and I think he will follow through on that which will lead to more lawsuits.”

The state’s trucking association said it would be impossible anyway

When asked, the California Trucking Association’s spokesperson told ABC the ban would have been “unachievable” and it “looks forward to engaging all stakeholders to further reduce emissions in a feasible manner.”