California Adopts Vehicle GHG Standards

On July 22, 2002, former Governor Gray Davis signed AB 1493, which directed the California Air Resources Board (ARB) to adopt regulations that would achieve the "maximum feasible and cost-effective reduction of greenhouse gas emissions from motor vehicles."  The cost-effective reduction measures identified by the staff included discrete variable valve lift, dual cam phasing, turbocharging with engine downsizing, automated manual transmissions, and camless valve actuation.  The ARB expects that the regulations will add around $1000 to the cost of a new car in 2014 but that the increased up-front cost will be more than offset by decreased operating costs over the life of the vehicle.  On September 24, 2004, ARB adopted the regulations, which will affect new cars sold in California beginning with model year 2009.  The regulations will result in a 23% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from new vehicles by 2012 and a 30% reduction in global warming emissions from new vehicles by 2016.

2002 Press Release
2004 Press Release