California approves toughened emissions regulations

Manufacturing News, Source : TheManufacturer.com
Published : 27 Sep 2004 17:00

The California Air Resources Board (ARB) today approved a landmark regulation that requires automakers to begin selling vehicles with reduced greenhouse gas emissions by model year 2009.

The regulation, which the ARB adopted after a marathon public hearing, sets limits on the amount of greenhouse gas emissions that can be released from new passenger cars, SUVs and pickup trucks sold in California starting in model year 2009.

According to ARB staff, the average reduction of greenhouse gases from new California cars and light trucks will be about 22 percent in 2012 and about 30 percent in 2016, compared to today's vehicles. Costs for the added technology needed to meet the rule are expected to average about $325 per vehicle in 2012 and about $1050 per vehicle to comply in 2016. The ARB staff analysis concludes that the new rule will result in savings for vehicle buyers by lowering operating expenses that will offset the added costs of the new vehicles.

Fred Webber, president and CEO of the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers, responded in a statement, saying that the regulations provide “no apparent health or environmental benefit to [California’s] citizens.” Opponents of the regulations have vowed to challenge them in court.

At least seven other states including New York, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Vermont, Connecticut, Rhode Island and Maine, as well as the nation of Canada, are expected to consider adopting California’s regulation for their own use.

Comments on this story

click here to add a comment