California lowers auto emissions rule

[Mugu]

By SAMANTHA YOUNG, Associated Press Writer via Yahoo

SACRAMENTO, Calif. - California regulators have drastically cut the number of zero-emission vehicles required to be sold in the state by the year 2014, a decision that frustrated environmentalists but came as a relief to auto manufacturers.

The rules adopted Thursday put the number of electric and hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles that automakers sell in California at 7,500 by 2014 — a 70 percent reduction from the 2003 target.

"We are disappointed. We think this proposal doesn't take us on the road to meeting the state's long-term global warming goals," said Spencer Quong, a senior vehicles analyst at the Union of Concerned Scientists.

Auto manufacturers said they could not meet the California standard and needed more time to make affordable hydrogen and battery-powered cars.


Complete article at:
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080328/ap_on_re_us/zero_emission_vehicles

[DCKit]

1. By 2014 the Asian manufacturers will have enough models available...

to meet market demand, despite the law. People in CA want alternative vehicles and, since Detroit has no intention of providing them, they'll have to come from somewhere else.