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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
National Journal
"Electric Cars are Charging Forward" - October 22, 2012
The New York Times
"In California, High Gas Prices and Incentives for Fuel-Efficient Cars Go Hand in Hand" - October 10, 2012
Consumer Reports
"Study shows U.S. automotive fuel economy at all-time high" - October 10, 2012
The New York Times
"California Issues 10,000th Rebate for Zero-Emissions Incentive Program" - September 28, 2012
The Hill
"Consumer group tells EPA to let California enact 'clean car' program" - September 19, 2012
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Clean Cars Milestones
The Finishing Touches on Advanced Clean Cars
As the end of 2012 approaches, just a couple more regulatory steps are necessary to finalize California's Advanced Clean Cars regulation. As reported in August, the rule is officially law. In the last two months, California has applied to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for a waiver of the Clean Air Act to implement the regulation, and in November, the California Air Resources Board (ARB) takes one last vote to harmonize the state's rule with new federal rules.
 First, the waiver. EPA held a hearing in Washington D.C. in September and accepted formal comments through October 19. Numerous supporters, including consumer groups, investors, officials from other states and state air quality associations, health groups and environmental NGOs testified in support. Only one witness testified in opposition. California anticipates a successful outcome, having met the requirements and demonstrated a compelling need for more stringent rules. California needs the waiver to ensure continued implementation of its own rules, regardless of any future political changes that might occur in Washington.  Meanwhile, in mid-November, ARB votes on a proposal to allow automaker compliance with the new federal greenhouse gas (GHG) standards for model-years 2017-2025 to serve as compliance with California's GHG standards for the same model years. This step follows California's commitment to work with the Obama administration and automakers to harmonize the California and national vehicle GHG standards. This ARB consideration comes late in the process because California needed to review the final federal rules to ensure that they are functionally equivalent to its own standards before moving to accept the rules as compliance.
Even with the harmonized GHG standards, California's Advanced Clean Cars standards are more stringent than the federal standards when it comes to the emissions that contribute to smog. And the state's standards include the Zero Emission Vehicle Program, which is helping advance the newest zero emission vehicle technology, like battery-electric, plug-in hybrid cars that are coming to market now, and fuel cell cars, which are in the demonstration phase. Together, these components of the Advanced Clean Cars Program demonstrate that the state is taking needed action to protect public health and clean up the air. If you'd like to weigh in on the November ARB vote, please contact the campaign as we can suggest helpful comments. Meanwhile, be on the lookout for a waiver decision and an opportunity to applaud EPA. And, as always, if you have questions, contact us at: info@calcleancars.org.
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| Related State Support Activities
Governor's Office Develops ZEV Roadmap
In late September, California Governor Jerry Brown's office brought together more than 200 state and industry clean cars leaders for an in-depth discussion on how to advance the zero emission vehicle (ZEV) market in California.
Participants in the ZEV Summit offered feedback on a draft action plan that follows on the Governor's Executive Order issued earlier this year. The Executive Order established several milestones, highlighted by the target of 1.5 million ZEVs in California by the year 2025. The action plan identifies specific strategies and actions that state agencies will take to meet the Executive Order. The summit also helped to identify opportunities for new collaboration between governmental and non-governmental stakeholders.
The Governor's ZEV Summit was a particularly timely convening, as the California Air Resources Board distributed its 10,000th consumer incentive for purchase of a ZEV.
Energy Commission Awards More Than $20 Million for Clean Transportation Projects
The California Energy Commission has approved funding of more than $20 million for innovative transportation projects in California via the Alternative and Renewable Fuel and Vehicle Technology Program, created by Assembly Bill 118. Here are just a few of the projects funded:
- Tesla Motors, Inc., will receive $10 million to purchase equipment for production of a new SUV/crossover vehicle, the all-electric Tesla Model X, at the company's facility in Fremont.
- The Bay Area Air Quality Management District will receive $3 million for the Bay Area "eTaxi" Program. Working with Better Place Mobility Services, Inc., the air district will demonstrate specially designed battery electric taxis that can use switchable batteries to give the vehicles essentially unlimited range.
- Quallion, LLC, will receive $2.2 million to expand its manufacturing capacity and integrate advanced battery management system electronics to improve the performance of the lithium-ion batteries used in electric vehicles. Quallion is based in Sylmar.
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 Campaign Supporter and Related Clean Cars Highlights
Clean Cars Campaign endorsers continue to actively support clean cars and clean air:
- Coulomb Technologies* is highlighted in the report, "Global Cleantech 100," produced by Cleantech Group, LLC.
- Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS)* senior engineer Don Anair has been busy correcting inaccurate news coverage and flawed studies that question the environmental benefits of EVs. Check out his numerous recent blogs on all things clean cars.
- UCS* released a report, State of Charge, documenting electric vehicles' global warming emissions and fuel cost savings across the United States.
*Campaign Supporter/Advisory Committee Member
Other new reports and resources include the following:
- The California Electric Transportation Coalition released a report in September showing that plug-in electric cars can create nearly 100,000 California jobs and provide a powerful local economic stimulus that will benefit people of all incomes whether they drive electric cars or not.
- The CSU-LA Ecocar Project is one of only 15 student vehicle engineering and design teams in the United States and C
 anada participating in the prestigious and challenging three-year competition to redesign a Chevy Malibu into a plug-in hybrid. Kudos to CSU-LA and the more than 30 engineering and 6 business majors who will be trained in the advanced vehicle design.
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Sincerely,
The California Clean Cars Campaign Team |
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