The state of California has been at the forefront of the nation’s regulations when it comes to reducing emissions since the 1970s. And now it has taken another step in this direction by approving the Advanced Clean Car program.

It is a set of regulations that aims to reduce emissions and, among other things, requires 15.4 percent of all new vehicles that will be sold by 2025 to be all-electric, plug-in hybrids or powered by fuel cells.

By implementing this program, California regulators wish to reduce passenger vehicles emissions by 34 percent between 2014 and 2015, and overall smog-forming emissions by 75 percent. It’s a goal similar to the federal standards proposed by President Obama.

The California Air Resources Board’s decision was unanimous. The new regulation amounts to 1.4 electric, fuel cell and plug-in hybrids to be on the state’s streets by 2025 and plans to offer incentives to buyers, including rebates and tax credits,

Moreover, the regulators stated that non-plug-in hybrids, such as the Prius, won’t get the same treatment, as they are not as close to EVs.

Surprisingly enough, the plan has the support of major car manufacturers such as GM, Ford, Chrysler and Nissan, which are usually fighting against California regulators.

“Probably the most heartening aspect of this whole rulemaking was the level of cooperation that we received from the industry. Overall, the degree of support for the package was just extraordinary,” commented Mary Nichols, chair of the California Air Resources Board.

On the other hand, dealers of car companies that manufacture these kinds of vehicles such as GM with the Volt, Ford with the Focus Electric and Nissan with the Leaf, do not.

The California New Car Dealers Association, along with other car-selling businesses groups, said that the Board is overestimating demand for zero-emission vehicles.

They estimate that the technology implemented in those vehicles raises their price by an average of US$3,200, something that consumers have not been willing to accept.

Moreover, the Associated Press reported that the president of the Dealers Association, Jonathan Morrison, said that the while the dealers are supportive of new technologies, buyers have been too slow to adopt them.

Story References: Autonews

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