In 2012, California also updated the zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) program that requires increasing production of plug-in hybrid, battery electric, and fuel-cell electric vehicles from 2018 to 2025. In 2012, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) adopted new light duty vehicle GHG standards for model years 2017 to 2025, calling for a fleet-wide average increase in stringency of between 4-5% per year over those years. With the adoption of more stringent federal standards in April 2010, for model years 2012-2016, California’s vehicle emission standards harmonized with the federal greenhouse gas and fuel economy programs. Several other states have adopted California’s emissions program. Increased efficiency with improved vehicle technology is the primary method for obtaining these reductions. The regulations required automakers to produce vehicles that, on average, reduce GHG by about 30% from 2002 levels by 2016. In 2004, California adopted a new set of vehicle emission standards to implement the Pavley law. addressed the issue of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from cars and light trucks.
Light-duty vehicles: The 2002 passage of Assembly Bill 1493 (Pavley) in California was the first time that a law in the U.S.
Among others, these include the optimization of valve operation, turbocharging, improved multi-speed transmissions, and improved air conditioning systems. Several technologies stand out as providing significant, cost-effective reductions in emissions. The GHG reductions are expected to be achieved largely, though not entirely, through improved vehicle efficiency, so these standards are in effect energy efficiency policies. However, California has, in addition, and updated zero-emission vehicle program that requires increasing production of plug-in and fuel-cell vehicles from 2018 to 2025. Federal standards were subsequently finalized, bringing nationwide standards in line with California standards. In 2012, CARB adopted new GHG standards for model years 2017 to 2025. A suite of other states opted to sign on to California's more stringent standards. In 2004, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) adopted a rule requiring automakers to begin in the 2009 model year (MY) to phase in lower-emitting cars and trucks that will collectively emit 22% fewer greenhouse gases than 2002 vehicles in MY 2012 and 30% fewer in MY 2016.