California has been a progressive leader in developing vehicle criteria pollutant emission requirements, and has continuously set important precedents for national standards. These emission requirements, along with increased fuel economy standards, have helped to mitigate the harmful health effects of fossil fuel pollution and decreased our dependence on foreign oil. However, while increased efficiency of conventional vehicles along with advance emission control technologies are important and necessary near term actions, it is essential to introduce alternative drivetrain Zero Emission Vehicles (ZEVs) if we plan to reach our aggressive greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets and eliminate our dependence on fossil fuel.

To reach our state greenhouse gas emissions reductions target of 80 percent below 1990 levels by 2050,¹ we need all technologies on deck.  The following graph shows the projected share of emissions reduction load by technology:

                                        

EIN continues to advocate for performance-based improvements in vehicle technology across all classes. Realizing that no single technology will be a silver bullet solution, EIN continues to push forward any and all policies that promote alternative vehicle technology and advanced emission standards. 

EIN contributes to the following policies and regulations:

Revision of CA Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) Program 

We continue to address the need for early commitment and investment in wide-scale adoption of battery-electric and fuel cell electric vehicles. Our goal is to ensure that the California Air Resource Board’s (CARB) ZEV program is strengthened to catalyze rapid adoption of ZEV’s into the mainstream market. A long-term commitment to true ZEVs is the only way to eliminate the need for petroleum-based fuels in the transportation sector. 

Amendments to the Low Emission Vehicle (LEV) Program 

California's LEV program has regulated tailpipe emissions since 1994, significantly reducing the amount of smog forming hydrocarbons emitted into our atmosphere by each vehicle. The newest iteration, called LEV III, will regulate both tailpipe criteria pollutant and greenhouse gas emissions, leading to both cleaner air and increased fuel economy.

 
EIN continues to advocate for the adoption of stringent criteria pollutant standards to avert the emission of harmful air quality pollutants, and GHG standards that will continually reduce our dependence on oil.

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¹ Executive Order S-3-05.  Signed by Governor Schwarzenegger on June 1, 2005.

² Leslie Baroody, Charles Smith, Michael A. Smith, Charles Mizutani. 2010/2011 Investment Plan for the Alternative and Renewable Fuel and Vehicle Technology Program Staff Draft Report. California Energy Commission.