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Michigan Sues BP, Chevron, Exxon, Shell and API, Alleging Cartel to Stifle EVs and Renewables

Analysts say the novel theory will draw swift motions to dismiss.

Michigan Is Suing Oil Companies For 'Suppressing' EVs: Industry
FILE - Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel speaks during a news conference, Monday, Sept. 19, 2022, outside of the Genesee County Sheriff's Office in Flint, Mich. Nessel has charged 16 Republicans Tuesday, July 18, 2023, with multiple felonies after they are alleged to have submitted false certificates stating they were the state’s presidential electors despite Joe Biden’s 154,000-vote victory in 2020. The group includes Republican National Committeewoman Kathy Berden and Meshawn Maddock, former co-chair of the Michigan Republican Party.  (Jake May/The Flint Journal via AP, File)
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Overview

  • Attorney General Dana Nessel filed the 122–126 page federal antitrust complaint on Jan. 23 in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Michigan against BP, Chevron, Exxon Mobil, Shell and the American Petroleum Institute.
  • Michigan alleges a decades-long conspiracy to suppress electric vehicles and renewable energy through patent control, shelving hybrid and battery work, limiting charging infrastructure, steering capital away from renewables and shaping academic research.
  • The state seeks permanent injunctive relief, disgorgement of profits, treble damages, unspecified monetary compensation and a jury trial under the Sherman Act, Clayton Act and Michigan antitrust law.
  • Chevron and the American Petroleum Institute denounced the case as baseless and pointed to prior dismissals in other states, while legal analysts predict motions to dismiss challenging agreement allegations, market definitions, timeliness and protected speech.
  • The complaint defines Michigan-only transportation and primary energy markets, follows the hiring of contingency-fee outside counsel and comes after a 2025 Trump administration lawsuit seeking to preempt Michigan’s anticipated action.