California ARB modifies ZEV regulation

Motor, Jun 2003 by Nash, Tom

The California Air Resources Board (ARB) recently voted to make modifications to the state's Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) regulation. A ZEV essentially produces no emissions as it operates. Currently, this would mean a pure battery electric (not a hybrid) or a hydrogen fuel cell vehicle. The most important modification creates a new ZEV pathway, giving manufacturers two options for meeting their ZEV requirements.

Auto manufacturers can meet their ZEV obligations by meeting standards that are similar to the ZEV rule as it existed in 2001. This means using a formula allowing a vehicle mix of 2% pure ZEVs, 2% AT-PZEVs (Advanced Technology Partial Zero Emission Vehicle) and 6% PZEVs (Partial Zero Emission Vehicle).

An AT-PZEV is a vehicle that uses some ZEV technology. Currently, there are no AT-PZEVs available to consumers. ARB expects that certain gasoline/electric hybrid vehicles and natural gas vehicles will be certified in the AT-PZEV class. A plugin hybrid could also qualify as an AT-PZEV.

A PZEV is a vehicle that has achieved ARB's cleanest tailpipe emissions standard-the Super Ultra Low Emission Vehicle (SULEV) standard. In addition, they have nearly zero evaporative emissions, and their emissions control equipment is warranted for 15 years or 150,000 miles. There are at least ten vehicles currently eligible to earn a PZEV credit.

Or, manufacturers may chose a new alternative ZEV compliance strategy, meeting part of their ZEV requirement by producing their sales-weighted market share of approximately 250 fuel cell vehicles by 2008. The remainder of their ZEV requirements could be achieved by producing 4% AT-PZEVs and 6% PZEVs.

The required number of fuel cell vehicles will increase to 2500 from 2009-11, to 25,000 from 2012-14 and to 50,000 from 2015 through 2017. Automakers can substitute battery electric vehicles for up to 50% of their fuel cell vehicle requirements.

In 1990, California's mandate required the largest vehicle producers to make electric vehicles 10% of their sales in the state. ARB gradually backed away from the 10% electric rule as poor performance, high cost and the lack of consumer acceptance of electric vehicles developed.

With the ZEV regulations on hold for 2003-04 because of automaker lawsuits, the above requirements will not fully go into effect until 2005. However, automakers can receive credit for any ZEV, PZEV or AT-PZEV vehicles they choose to sell or lease in 2003-04.

To monitor the progress, ARB will appoint an independent review panel of technology and industry experts with no financial ties to motor vehicle manufacturers to report on ZEV technology developments, costs and consumer acceptance.

The ruling may also affect states that have copied the California requirements, such as New York, Vermont and Massachusetts.