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Welcome to the California Clean Cars Campaign eNews.
The California Clean Cars Campaign comprises diverse constituencies that support strong standards for California's groundbreaking Clean Cars Program. We are working to bring the next generation of advanced, clean cars into the driveways of California families.
The bi-monthly eNews brings you the latest information on the Clean Cars Program, related events and activities, and opportunities to show your support for clean cars.
Thank you for your interest.
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 In the News
Los Angeles Times
"On the Right Road with Fuel Economy Standards" - August 29, 2012
Associated Press, Contra Costa Times
"Obama administration's new standards will double average gas mileage" - August 28, 2012
The New York Times
"U.S. Sets Higher Fuel-Efficiency Standards" - August 28, 2012
The Sacramento Bee
"Editorial: Why has fuel economy become a partisan spat?" - August 15, 2012
Associated Press, LA Daily News
"Study: Cleaner cars helping to reduce L.A. pollution" - August 9, 2012
The Sacramento Bee
"California is nation's key player in electric vehicle sales and development" - July 22, 2012
Chicago Sun-Times
"Chevy Volt critics are just flat-out wrong" - July 20, 2012
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Clean Cars Milestones
California and Federal Clean Cars Standards Now Law
It's official. August will go down in history as the month that both the state and federal clean cars standards became law.
On August 28, the White House released its long-awaited rules, which create a national program to reduce carbon pollution from cars and light trucks through 2025 and represent the first major increase in vehicle fuel efficiency standards in 30 years -- to 54.5 mpg. President Obama said in a statement: "These fuel standards represent the single most important step we've ever taken to reduce our dependence on foreign oil."
What's next? California has said all along that it will accept an automaker's compliance with the federal rule as compliance with California's rule -- as long as the federal rule is equally as stringent. California will review the federal standards to ensure that they satisfy California's requirement. Expect a public process and California Air Resources Board action this fall.
On a parallel track is the state's request to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for a waiver under the Clean Air Act to implement its rule. EPA is beginning its formal review and a public hearing will be scheduled this fall.
Also getting underway this fall are the different state processes for adopting California's latest rules. The Campaign is working to support these states and the District of Columbia, known as the "Section 177 states," (named for Sec. 177 of the Clean Air Act) as they begin their individual activities. Please contact us if you have co-workers or colleagues in other states who would be interested in supporting clean cars.
As always, we will work to ensure that the media report the facts on the benefits of clean cars, and welcome Campaign endorsers weighing in on the public process.
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| Related Regulatory Activity
The World is Watching -- and Taking Action
In 2009, the European Union (EU) set legally binding targets for new cars to emit 130 grams of CO2 per km by 2015 and 95 grams of CO2 per km in 2020. The regulation also required the European Commission, the executive body of the EU, to review strategies for reaching, by the year 2020, a long-term target of 95 grams of CO2 per km in a cost-effective manner. In July 2012, the Commission announced its proposal for meeting the 2020 target. Learn more from Transport & Environment.
In July of this year, Mexico officially published its proposed regulation for CO2 emissions and fuel economy -- the only such standards in Latin America. The regulation, which is harmonized in design and stringency to the comparable U.S. regulation and aligned with standards adopted by Canada, calls for a fuel economy equivalent for new passenger cars, pickups and SUVs of 14.9 km/L (35 mpg) in 2016. It represents the final step in harmonizing passenger vehicle fuel economy and greenhouse gas standards throughout North America during the 2012-2016 time frame. Read more from The ICCT. |
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 Campaign Supporter and Related Clean Cars Highlights
Clean Cars Campaign endorsers continue to actively support clean cars and clean air:
- The Union of Concerned Scientists* has a new blog, "Future State of Charge: How Clean Will Electric Vehicles Get" that complements the group's recently released report by the same name. Among its highlights are these key findings: the longer you own an electric vehicle (EV) the cleaner it will become; renewable energy standards drive cleaner EVs; progress is hindered by continued reliance on coal; and policy is critical to clean up our electrical grid and maximize the benefits of EVs.
- Efficient Drivetrains Inc.*, a Palo Alto-based developer and marketer of EV drivetrain systems, is expanding its operations in Dixon, California. The company said it has added a second research and development facility, tripling its Dixon operations to 12,000 square feet.
- Automakers, their suppliers and their dealers are now looking ahead to a brighter future after the dark days of the recession, says a new report from Natural Resources Defense Council*, National Wildlife Federation, and Michigan League of Conservation Voters Education Fund. According to "Driving Growth: How Fuel Efficiency is Driving Job Growth in the U.S. Auto Industry," since June 2009 when the auto industry hit bottom, the U.S. auto industry has grown by 236,600 jobs, manufacturing of motor vehicles and parts has grown by 165,100 jobs, or 26.4 percent, and another 71,500 jobs have been added at U.S. auto dealerships.
- Recent research by the Center for Automotive Research shows that more than 460,000 U.S. drivers could purchase their first plug-in vehicle (PEV) within the next three years. Environment America's* new report, "Charging Forward: The Emergence of Electric Vehicles and Their Role in Reducing Oil Consumption," has now found that these vehicles would reduce our country's global warming pollution by approximately 630,000 metric tons per year. If the plug-in vehicles were powered by clean sources of electricity, these savings would rise to nearly 2 million metric tons annually.
Other News and Resources
A new report from the California Center for Sustainable Energy finds California PEV drivers cut fuel costs and emissions. CCSE released its first quantitative report on driving and charging habits of approximately 1,200 PEV owners who have received the state's clean vehicle purchase incentive through the California Air Resources Board. Among the findings:
- 85 percent of owners use their PEV as their primary car, driving an average of 802 electric miles per month
- In San Diego, favorable utility rates result in some owners paying equivalent to $0.90-$1.90/gallon of gas
- Most PEV owners charge their cars at night when the electricity supply is abundant and most efficient
- The current electric vehicles in the state save approximately 350,000 gallons of petroleum every month.
The Pew Environment Group has released a new infographic that highlights the many benefits of driving electric vehicles. Check out "Why Drive Electric?"
The California Fuel Cell Partnership recently published " Road Map: Bringing Hydrogen Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles to the Golden State." Californians can now locate the major sources of greenhouse gases and easily examine the emissions of each facility with a new Google Earth mapping tool that links the California Air Resources Board's database of the state's largest sources of greenhouse gases with Google's mapping tools. Check it out here.
Help Make San Francisco the EV Capital of America. Check out EV Week, an exposition of plug-in electric vehicles and charging stations at Justin Herman Plaza, September 17-18, 2012. Learn more.
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Sincerely,
The California Clean Cars Campaign Team |
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