Print this Page | Digg It | del.icio.us

Tags: california emission fuel economy consumption efficiency zero gas gasoline hybrid electric

Tag Link: california emission fuel economy consumption efficiency zero gas gasoline hybrid electric

California Lowers Auto Emissions Rule
Friday March 28, 7:11 am ET
By Samantha Young, Associated Press Writer
California Regulators Vote to Lower Target for Zero-Emission Vehicles

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) -- California regulators have drastically cut the number of zero-emission vehicles required to be sold in the state by the year 2014, a decision that frustrated environmentalists but came as a relief to auto manufacturers.

The rules adopted Thursday put the number of electric and hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles that automakers sell in California at 7,500 by 2014 -- a 70 percent reduction from the 2003 target.

"We are disappointed. We think this proposal doesn't take us on the road to meeting the state's long-term global warming goals," said Spencer Quong, a senior vehicles analyst at the Union of Concerned Scientists.

Auto manufacturers said they could not meet the California standard and needed more time to make affordable hydrogen and battery-powered cars.

"Pushing this technology into the market before they are commercially viable ties up resources that could be better utilized by advancing core technologies," said Sara Rudy, an emissions regulatory manager at Ford Motor Co. "It is important at this stage to be nimble."

The other manufacturers that must comply with the rules are General Motors Corp., Toyota Motor Corp., Honda Motor Co., Chrysler LLC and Nissan Motor Co.

The decision is expected to affect 12 other states that had adopted California's target for zero-emission vehicles.

In essence, the air board took two steps: It cut the number of zero-emission vehicles it wants on state's roads, while at the same time offering an alternative: the gas-electric hybrids.

The air board said the six largest automakers must sell nearly 60,000 plug-in hybrid vehicles in California while they develop the more advanced technology that will allow mass production of pure zero-emission vehicles.

Board chairwoman Mary Nichols described the move as a major step toward putting cleaner cars on the road. The plug-in hybrids envisioned by the air board have yet to be produced but are in development by several automakers.

"We're introducing a whole new category of vehicles to the public," Nichols said. "I don't think it's a step backwards in the real world."

General Motors is developing a rechargeable vehicle it hopes to have on the market in 2010. The Chevy Volt would run on a battery for 40 miles, and then fuel would power the on-board generator, GM spokesman Dave Barthmuss said.

California adopted its zero-emission vehicle mandate in 1990 as part of an attempt to reduce smog-forming emissions such as nitrogen oxide.

The rule required that 10 percent of new cars sold in the state by the country's six leading auto manufacturers be completely nonpolluting by 2003.

The rules have been modified four times since they were introduced. The biggest change came in 2003, when the Air Resources Board significantly scaled back the mandate and ruled that hydrogen cars, hybrids and cleaner-burning gasoline vehicles could meet the state's goals.

The regulators were concerned that battery-powered cars could not be mass-produced and favored hydrogen cars. They also faced a lawsuit from the auto industry.

Although some lower-emission vehicles -- especially hybrids -- have begun making an impression in the marketplace, the main automakers still do not have a commercial zero-emission vehicle.

The revised 2003 rules set a goal of putting at least 25,000 zero-emission cars on the road in California by 2014, far below the original 10 percent mandate. The rules adopted Thursday put the number of zero-emission vehicles required by 2014 even lower.

The changes adopted by the air board will affect just a fraction of the overall fleet in California. About 1.5 million new vehicles are sold in the state each year.

The 12 other states that adopted the California standard are Connecticut, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Mexico, New York, New Jersey, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont and Washington. Automakers are required to sell 120,000 of the new plug-in-hybrids in those states by 2014, said Tom Cackette, the air board's chief deputy executive officer.

Arizona, Colorado, Florida and Utah are considering California's standard, according to the Air Resources Board. Read Article



Comments:

Images hosted in your AgentSpace can now be posted in the comments section using the following syntax (case matters):
[img]IMAGE URL[/img]
Example: [img]http://agent004.myautospies.com/users/150/Sample-Gallery/sample1.JPG[/img]
1995e341995e34 - 3/28/2008 10:44:10 AM
+5 BoostDrop the Boost Up the Boost
another? what was the first?

reply to this comment
Homer008Homer008 - 3/28/2008 11:04:09 AM
+2 BoostDrop the Boost Up the Boost
First: Although some lower-emission vehicles -- especially hybrids -- have begun making an impression in the marketplace, the main automakers still do not have a commercial zero-emission vehicle.

Lexayota is the leader of hybrid cars, enough said.


reply to this comment
WillisWillis - 3/28/2008 1:03:12 PM
-1 BoostDrop the Boost Up the Boost
Oh yeah? LX570, what's that? Efficient?


1970toyotamarc1970toyotamarc - 3/28/2008 2:22:49 PM
+3 BoostDrop the Boost Up the Boost
Yes, Willis, since Toyota was able to increase hp by over 100, while still gaining mpg 12/15 to 12/18, and decreasing emissions, LEV to ULEV. I would say that is quite efficient.


RupertRupert - 3/28/2008 9:21:33 PMView My AgentSpace
0 BoostDrop the Boost Up the Boost
99 S500 - 300hp, 21 UK MPG, 320g/km CO2, 0-60 6.3
07 S500 - 388hp, 24 UK MPG, 279 g/km C02, 0-60 5.4
Now that's efficiency.

12/18? How is that efficient in anyway at all? The 4.5 TT V8 diesel we get here in the LC gets around 22 US combined, far better.


huu76huu76 - 3/28/2008 7:24:58 PM
+2 BoostDrop the Boost Up the Boost
They should have added a law requiring all makers to have X amount of hybrids sold. It's not hydrogen, but its the next best thing (for the most part). This would atleast offset the loss of hydrogen cars.

reply to this comment
BMW995BMW995 - 3/29/2008 4:29:21 PM
+1 BoostDrop the Boost Up the Boost
The Greenies in the Calif. legislature cause a lot of damage to the U.S. auto manufacturers. I assume none of these politicians are engineers, otherwise they'd realize that most of their decisions wrt auto efficiency is simply not cost effective. But does a politician care when he's trying to get elected?

reply to this comment
To post a comment for this story, you must first Login.

If you do not have an account, you will need to Register (It's Free!).

Most Recent Stories
2010 Audi RS5 Spied Looking SexyMercedes-Benz C and E-Class hybrids coming by 2011Alfa 8C GTA, large sedan, SUV on the wayFord Ka being reconsidered for the U.S.Stud Or Dud? This The The Face Of Mercedes' New E-ClassNADA Predicts 700 Dealers To Go Out Of Business In 2008GMAC Officially Kicks Leasing To The CurbBMW M Gmbh Sales Exceed Figures Of Entire Previous Year Already In August 2008Smart ForTwo MHD Named Germany's Most Cost-Efficient CarDo You Still Qualify? Many Car Loans Now Require At Least A 720 FICO For Basic Financing!European Auto Makers Ask For $55 Billion In Loans To Meet New StandardsDo You Agree? Clarkson Declares The Chysler Sebring As The Worst Car In The World. Audi reconsidering A1 for the U.S. marketVideo: Honda Insight Hybrid in actionMazda Kiyora to spawn Mazda1Honda's Prius rival will cost less than $19,000BMW cancels X7 luxury SUVMercedes will outdo Lexus 8-speed auto with new dual-clutch New 2013 Baby Porsche2009 BMW 7-Series Photo Gallery: 001 Says '7' Won't Be A Lucky Number For Mercedes, Lexus, Audi And The Others2009 Vw Golf VI by H&RThe Best of Paris - Agent 00J Picks His Favorites, But Is Your Favorite On The List?Audi Take Incredible Petit Le Mans WinAston Martin DBS receives Touchtronic 2 transmission, 2 plus 2 Seating and Bang & Olufson stereoPorsche Wins the American Le Mans Series LMP2 Class and GT2 Class Driver's Championships as well as the GT2 Team ChampionshipVideo: Renault Z.E. Concept2008 Paris Motor Show: Citroen 2CV by Hermes2008 Paris Motor Show: Mazda Kiyora conceptLamborghini’s Bull Kicks Dirt at Porsche and Aston Martin – But Will Rapide and Panamera Wave The White Flag of Surrender?Video: Lexus IS 250CParis Motor Show: Venturi Volage Electric ConceptGTbyCitroen makes its debut in Gran Turismo 5 PrologueParis 2008: Honda Insight Concept RevealedParis 2008: Audi A1 SportbackParis 2008: The Nissan Nuvu ConceptParis 2008: All-New Toyota AvensisParis 2008: The Mazda Kiyora Concept City CarParis 2008: Chevrolet Cruze UnveiledParis 2008: Audi A4 TDI concept eParis 2008: The Aston Martin One-77 supercarParis 2008: Renault Megane Trophy2010 Ford Mustang Teaser Number 8Paris 2008: The speedy Jaguar XKR-SParis 2008: Mercedes-Benz Concept FASCINATIONParis 2008: Pininfarina B0Paris 2008: The 2009 Ford KaParis 2008: The Opel Insignia ecoFLEXParis 2008: Suzuki Alto City CarParis 2008: Peugeot Prologue ConceptClio Renaultsport R3 Access