DIAMOND BAR, Calif.—California’s authority on air quality and emissions targets discussed a move to adjust state requirements for zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs) on Thursday.
As it is now, starting in 2018 the state will require vehicle manufacturers to offer a percentage of their vehicles sold in California to be ZEVs, like battery powered or hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles. Some of that percentage could be substituted with near emission vehicles, like hybrid electric.
The Air Resources Board heard a recommendation from their staff on Thursday to allow intermediate car manufacturers to extend their compliance time from one to three years.
This would affect automakers like Mazda, Subaru, and Volvo that sell between 4,500 and 20,000 vehicles annually in California.
Staff also proposed lowering the required percentage of ZEVs medium-sized manufacturers produce between 2018 and 2025 by less than half. That would bring the requirement of 22 percent ZEVs by 2025 to 9.2 percent.
The board heard impassioned comments from both sides of the argument—organizations such as the California Clean Cars Coalition and the Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation (LAEDC), along with representatives of car manufacturers all chimed in.
Ultimately, the Board moved to re-consider the recommendation at a later, undecided date. They also requested more data from staff members.
