California adapts ZEV mandate with PHEVs for smaller automakers
Fri, Jun 5 2015Jaguar Land Rover, Mazda, Mitsubishi, Subaru, and Volvo asked for an exemption to the state's zero-emissions vehicle mandate last year due to their relatively small development budgets compared to larger automakers. CARB denied their request but did craft a compromise, according to Automotive News. Rather than being required to offer a ZEV in the state, companies with an annual global revenue of less than $40 billion, like those in this group, may instead sell plug-in hybrids to earn ZEV credits.
The companies aren't completely off the hook, though. If these plug-in hybrids don't earn enough credits, the corporations must buy them on the market to make up the difference. Automakers with popular electric models like Nissan and Tesla have made a big business through this trading system by selling their surplus to rivals. Tesla alone pocketed $51 million in the first quarter from this part of its business, according to Automotive News.
The changes to the regulations also aren't set in stone, yet. CARB is meeting in 2016 and could adjust things further at that time.
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- News Source: Automotive News - sub. req. via Hybrid Cars
- Image Credit: Justin Sullivan / Getty Images
- Government/Legal
- Green
- Jaguar
- Land Rover
- Mazda
- Mitsubishi
- Subaru
- Volvo
- Emissions
- Electric
- Hybrid
- California
- zev credits
- zero emissions vehicle
By Chris Bruce
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