The United States Environmental Protection Agency today gave the
green light to California to set in place its Advanced Clean Cars package of
regulations. This sets the stage for a new generation of ultra-clean cars
starting in 2017 that slash smog-forming and greenhouse gas emissions and
pave the way for increased numbers of zero-emission vehicles through 2025
and beyond.
Today's announcement by U.S.E.P.A. also clears the way for other states
covering up to 40 percent of new car sales nationally to adopt California's
standards as their own.. This will ensure that the latest technologies will
further reduce smog-forming emissions nearly to zero and boost the numbers
of zero-emission vehicles sold through 2025.
This decision by the federal government recognizes California's important
role under the Clean Air Act to set the toughest vehicle emissions standards
in the nation. It
also allows other states to adopt California's package of clean car
regulations, helping clean up the air and save consumers nationwide billions
of dollars at the pump.
The Advanced Clean Car package includes the Low Emission Vehicle standard
(LEV III) regulation, designed to reduce smog-causing pollutants in gasoline
powered vehicles 75 percent by 2025 from
2017 levels. This standard will also reduce greenhouse gas emissions from
those same vehicles by 34 percent, a figure that parallels federal
regulations.
California's Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) standard will drive a shift from
gasoline engines to a wider variety of fuel sources, including plug-in
hybrids, electric and fuel cell vehicles. These vehicles approach or achieve
zero greenhouse gas emissions. By
2025 the ZEV regulations are expected to put 1.4 million of these vehicles
on the road in California, and make them 15 percent of annual new vehicle
sales, with further dramatic growth expected through 2050 and beyond.
The ZEV regulation keeps California at the forefront of the national effort
to produce the cleanest cars. States continuing or adding California's ZEV
requirements will ensure their consumers get the latest plug-in hybrid and
ultimately fuel cell vehicles that are revolutionizing the marketplace, and
dramatically reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Cleaner cars mean cleaner air and a better environment. Cars are
California's largest source of air pollution and greenhouse gases.
California's Advanced Clean Car Program will continue to drive new vehicle
technology, accelerating the next generation of clean cars that are already
commercially available.
Economically, California drivers will save $5 billion in operating costs in
2025, and $10 billion by 2030 when more advanced cars are on the road. In
2025, average consumers will see nearly $6,000 in fuel cost savings over the
life of the car, nearly triple the estimated per vehicle cost. Based on
typical financing for a new vehicle, savings accrue the minute the car
drives off the lot.
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