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California vehicle emissions standards are often the countrywide standards. This means that brand new standards being considered in California could well mean improved fuel efficiency around the nation. Source for this article: California considering tougher emissions standards



A brand new program



California’s new Advanced Clean Car Program would set rules for ramping up clean emission standards. The new standards would introduce brand new rules in phases, ending in a 34 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions and 75 percent reduction of smog emissions by 2025. The regulations would also require that one out of every seven vehicles sold in California must be a hybrid or zero-emissions electronic vehicle. The program also sets a goal that by the year 2050, 87 percent of the state fleet of automobiles should be powered by clean technologies.



Standards from the EPA



Every little thing that California does is followed by the rest of the country, this being no exception. The United States Environmental Protection Agency and 13 car makers will use the same limits California has set.



[Hybrid vehicles with low emissions are already available at the Atlanta, GA Toyota dealer.]



Automakers generally follow California rules because they do not want to make various automobiles based on state laws, although it will be formalized too. The fuel mileage standards that the federal government will enforce upon Environmental Protection Agency suggestion will even come into play.



No fight from car makers



Automakers spent millions of dollars fighting emissions standards the first time California set them up. It brought on the standards to be delayed, although ultimately the automakers lost. Now, since automakers were bailed out for the last few years, they are no fighting any of the standards. They have accepted that they will need to make the changes.



Sources



Mercury News

My MotherLode

Boston.com