California agrees to propose emissions standards on same time frame as feds’ timetable

In what must invoke a sigh of relief for automakers, California has agreed to propose admissions standards for 2017-25; on the same time-frame as the federal government. This is a strong sign that California might be willing to seek a compromise with automakers and not implement separate, stricter rules as it has done in the past.

The state of California, the NHTSA, and the EPA have announced that they will each propose standards for model years 2017-25 by Sept. 1 of this year. A statement from the three groups said the announcement “signals continued collaboration that could lead to an extension of the current National Clean Car Program, providing automakers certainty as they work to build the next generation of clean, fuel-efficient cars.”

The California Air Resource Board has come under some flack for their reluctance to adhere to the national standard, as automaker groups have charged that separate standards could cost jobs and prove unworkable.

The Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers has expressed its pleasure with the announcement; “The alliance is pleased that EPA, NHTSA and CARB have reached agreement on a timetable for the 2017-25 fuel economy standards. We look forward to working with these agencies on issues of mutual concern,” the alliance said. “We urge all stakeholders to resist the temptation to pick miles-per-gallon targets before the necessary data is gathered and analyzed.”

Despite this pleasure however, Bailey Wood, a spokesman for NADA has said that the announcement indicates nothing as to California’s willingness to adhere to a single standard, and more is required by way of a commitment.

– By: Stephen Calogera

Source: Detroit News