The U.S. state of Michigan has filed a federal antitrust lawsuit against several of the world’s largest oil companies, accusing them of colluding to stifle competition from electric vehicles and renewable energy while keeping energy prices artificially high.
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel on Friday brought the lawsuit against BP, Chevron, Exxon Mobil, Shell Oil, and the American Petroleum Institute, alleging the companies engaged in unlawful coordination to limit innovation and output in Michigan’s transportation and primary energy markets.
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According to the 126-page complaint, the defendants formed what the state described as a “conspiracy” to preserve their dominance in fossil fuels, suppress competition from electric vehicles and renewable energy technologies, and inflate prices paid by consumers and the state government. “For decades, defendants have conspired with each other to forestall meaningful competition from renewable energy and maintain their dominance in the energy market,” the lawsuit said.
The filing comes as the U.S. auto industry shows signs of shifting focus back toward gasoline-powered vehicles after years of heavy investment in electrification. Some analysts attribute the slowdown in EV momentum to higher costs, limited model availability and changing regulations, while Michigan’s lawsuit places responsibility squarely on the oil industry’s conduct.
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The state is seeking a jury trial, unspecified financial damages, and repayment of what it alleges are excess profits earned by the fossil-fuel industry as a result of anti-competitive practices. Michigan also claims consumers were forced to overpay for energy because cleaner alternatives were deliberately constrained.
The defendants had not immediately responded to requests for comment. The case adds to growing legal and political pressure on the oil industry as states and cities pursue litigation tied to energy markets, climate policy and the transition toward lower-emission technologies.