This week, President Joe Biden approved California’s request for stricter-than-federal vehicle emission standards – a decision that could reshape the trajectory of the American auto industry and will make it harder for President-elect Donald Trump to kill Biden’s electric vehicle transition. Mike Lee from POLITICO’s E&E News breaks down the decision along with the political and legal ramifications. Plus, meet Trump's Energy Department landing team.

Mike Lee covers transportation for POLITICO’s E&E News.

Nirmal Mulaikal is a POLITICO audio host-producer.

Annie Rees is the managing producer for audio at POLITICO.

Gloria Gonzalez is the deputy energy editor for POLITICO.

Matt Daily is the energy editor for POLITICO.

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California’s big bet on EVs faces a familiar threat: Trump