Air Board Adopts Mandate for Plug-In Hybrid Vehicles

The California Air Resources Board March 27 amended the state’s zero emissions vehicle rule to trim the number of pollution-free cars powered strictly by batteries or fuel cells. In place of the previously required number of cleaner cars automakers have to supply beginning in 2012, the Air Board substituted a requirement calling for sale of plug-in hybrid models, which use gasoline, and cars with hydrogen burning internal combustion engines. “The program seems to have lost its way,” observed Mary Nichols, Air Board chair, as she opened a day-long public hearing on the changes in the state’s landmark zero emissions vehicle regulations. “Our goal today is to get the California vehicle program on track.” Many of the arguments centered on whether the amendments favored electricity from the grid or hydrogen to power the cars of the future. The board adopted the amendments after hearing almost four hours of testimony from electric vehicle booster Chelsea Sexton, electric vehicle associations, automakers like Honda, and energy independence crusaders like former Central Intelligence Agency director James Woolsey. Dave Modisette, California Electric Transportation Coalition executive director, called plug-in hybrid technology “the shining jewel” of the Air Board’s new strategy. The coalition includes state electric utilities. Others lauded the technology too. “Electricity is the alternative motor fuel that is truly low carbon and it will become lower carbon in the future,” said Robert Sawyer, former Air Board chair. “The distribution system is already there.” However, to make sure that electric vehicles can be powered with renewable energy, the Air Board should encourage green energy projects and needed transmission lines to connect them to the grid, said V. John White, Center for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Technology executive director. The board’s action came after a technology assessment conducted last year showed that existing hydrogen fuel cell and battery electric vehicle technology is not ready for large- scale commercial use, said James Goldstene, Air Board executive officer. Under the changes, automakers are relieved of the requirement to build and sell 25,000 zero emission cars between 2012 and 2014. Instead, they will have to build and sell just 7,500 of the zero emissions cars. In exchange, however, the amendments call for carmakers to build and sell more than 50,000 vehicles between 2012 and 2014 that either use plug-in hybrid technology or burn hydrogen. The number would grow after that. Plug-in hybrids have both a gasoline-powered engine and an electric motor powered by a battery pack that is recharged off the power grid. They can go a limited distance strictly on electric power--for instance, far enough to cover the average commute--and rely on their gasoline engines for longer trips. Utilities also are studying how they might be integrated into the power grid to store renewable energy. In passing the amendments, the board directed its staff to develop further amendments to the rules sometime in 2009 that would make them a central part of the state’s strategy for cutting greenhouse gases and reducing dependence on petroleum. In the 2009 round of amendments, California utilities also might face regulation. Board member Dorene D’Adamo said the agency should require utilities to install electric vehicle charging infrastructure to make it easier for people to drive battery-powered autos and plug-in hybrid models. “We can’t succeed without a strong infrastructure,” agreed Jerry Hill, Air Board member. Editor’s note: For a more detailed report, please see our sister publication E=MC2- Energy Meets Climate Challenge. You can find it at energymeetsclimate.com.

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Air Board Adopts Mandate for Plug-In Hybrid Vehicles

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