State of California
AIR RESOURCES BOARD

Summary of Board Meeting
January 25, 2001

Air Resources Board
Board Hearing Room, Lower Level
2020 L Street
Sacramento, California

MEMBERS PRESENT:

Hons. Alan C. Lloyd, Ph.D., Chairman
Dr. William A. Burke
Joseph C. Calhoun, P.E.
Doreen D'Adamo
Mark J. Desaulnier
C. Hugh Friedman
William F. Friedman, M.D.
Matthew R. McKinnon
Barbara Riordan
Ron Roberts

AGENDA ITEM #

01-1-1

Public Hearing to Consider Amendments to the California Zero Emission Vehicle Regulations

SUMMARY OF AGENDA ITEM:

Staff presented proposed amendments to the California Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) regulations. The amendments had been prepared in response to a directive provided by the Air Resources Board (Board or ARB) at its September 2000 meeting. At the September 2000 meeting, the Board considered the status of the ZEV program. After hearing extensive testimony and public comment, the Board affirmed that the ZEV program is an essential component of the State's long-term air quality strategy, and resolved that the basic ZEV requirements be retained and implemented in California. The Board also directed staff to develop and propose regulatory modifications and other steps that address the challenges associated with the successful long-term implementation of the ZEV program, and that result in a sustainable market for ZEVs.

At this hearing, staff provided an overview of the rationale for the proposed changes, and described the key elements of the staff proposal:
· Maintain core technology-forcing mandate
· Phase in ZEV and partial-zero emission vehicle (PZEV) requirements
· Allow further ZEV reduction if offset with advanced technology PZEVs
· Gradually increase the future ZEV requirement

Staff then described the effect of the staff proposal. The number of pure ZEVs required would be reduced, particularly in the early years, but would still greatly exceed the number placed to date. The number of PZEVs would be phased in but would match the previous requirement by 2006. An additional category of advanced technology PZEVs would be introduced, which would lead to large numbers of near zero vehicles with electric drive or other ZEV-like characteristics.

The cost of the program would be reduced in 2003 by $130 million to
$400 million, depending on the compliance strategy chosen by manufacturers. These savings would decline in future years as the PZEV numbers increase.

From an emission standpoint the staff proposal would be neutral with respect to the previous regulation.

Staff then provided a detailed description of the individual proposed changes. The presentation concluded with a description of staff activities and plans regarding incentives, infrastructure, and public outreach.

ORAL TESTIMONY:

FORMAL BOARD ACTION:

The Board approved Resolution No. 01-1 by a unanimous vote.

RESPONSIBLE DIVISION: MSCD

STAFF REPORT: Yes (174 pages)

01-1-2

Consideration of Research Proposals

The Board approved Resolution Nos. 01-2 through 01-6 by a unanimous vote.

Copyright 2001