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California is the USA’s leading state when it comes to environmental policies, and the zero-emission mandate started in 1990 is living proof of the idea.
To support the introduction of electric vehicles and to discourage the launch of “gas-guzzlers,” California has introduced Zero-Emission Vehicle credits. These credits are given to automakers after selling electric or other zero-emission vehicles in the state, and they are provided proportionally to the market share of the brand in California.
The state has set goals for car makers, and they can earn credits to reach the targets by selling zero-emission vehicles. Other automakers are allowed to buy credits from the companies that exceed standards.
Tesla Motors is a popular brand in California, and they only manufacture electric vehicles. Thanks to this fact, the company exceeds standards in California for selling zero-emission vehicles, which allows the automaker from Silicon Valley to make money from trading its extra credits to other car manufacturers.
The California Air Resources Board projected a market share of 15.4 percent for zero-emission vehicles in the state by 2025. Since ZEV credits flooded the system, automakers can now fulfill the requirements set in 2011 with just six percent of their fleets in the form of zero-emission vehicles, says Dan Sperling. He believes that the system needs to be changed to provide real improvement, or at least to limit the credits sold by an automaker.
Mr. Sperling is a professor of civil engineering and environmental science at the University of California, and he proposes raising the ZEV requirement of the state, Automotive News reports. He serves on the California Air Resources Board, which means that his ideas could become reality. Other members must agree to his proposals for this to happen, and research to underline the facts is also required.
Upon learning the potential changes proposed in California, a few automakers have expressed their concerns regarding the ideas showcased by authorities, which they believe would be harmful to the environment and their companies.
After all, changing the rules on the fly could cause problems for all parties involved, and analysts feel that automakers have a point when they do not agree with the proposal.
Tesla’s vice president of business development, Diarmuid O’Connell, stated that he supports higher emission targets in California. However, he rejects the idea of limiting credit trades, and even calls the suggestion “an extremely stupid idea.” O’Connell explained that the measure would penalize those that strive to distribute electric vehicles on the road.
The state has set goals for car makers, and they can earn credits to reach the targets by selling zero-emission vehicles. Other automakers are allowed to buy credits from the companies that exceed standards.
Tesla Motors is a popular brand in California, and they only manufacture electric vehicles. Thanks to this fact, the company exceeds standards in California for selling zero-emission vehicles, which allows the automaker from Silicon Valley to make money from trading its extra credits to other car manufacturers.
The California Air Resources Board projected a market share of 15.4 percent for zero-emission vehicles in the state by 2025. Since ZEV credits flooded the system, automakers can now fulfill the requirements set in 2011 with just six percent of their fleets in the form of zero-emission vehicles, says Dan Sperling. He believes that the system needs to be changed to provide real improvement, or at least to limit the credits sold by an automaker.
Mr. Sperling is a professor of civil engineering and environmental science at the University of California, and he proposes raising the ZEV requirement of the state, Automotive News reports. He serves on the California Air Resources Board, which means that his ideas could become reality. Other members must agree to his proposals for this to happen, and research to underline the facts is also required.
Upon learning the potential changes proposed in California, a few automakers have expressed their concerns regarding the ideas showcased by authorities, which they believe would be harmful to the environment and their companies.
After all, changing the rules on the fly could cause problems for all parties involved, and analysts feel that automakers have a point when they do not agree with the proposal.
Tesla’s vice president of business development, Diarmuid O’Connell, stated that he supports higher emission targets in California. However, he rejects the idea of limiting credit trades, and even calls the suggestion “an extremely stupid idea.” O’Connell explained that the measure would penalize those that strive to distribute electric vehicles on the road.
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