Signed into law in 2002, Assembly Bill 1493 (Pavley) directed the California Air Resources Board (ARB) to adopt regulations that require carmakers to reduce global warming emissions from new passenger cars and light trucks beginning in 2009.

The ARB adopted regulations in September 2004 that meet the intent of the original legislation: the law ensures the maximum feasible and cost-effective to the consumer reduction of greenhouse gases emitted by passenger vehicles. Under the plan, carmakers must meet increasingly stringent standards that phase in between 2009 and 2016.

The regulation cleared a final legislative review in early 2005 and was filed with the Secretary of the State in September 2005. It became effective on January 1, 2006. However, it faces federal and state court challenges by automakers and some California car dealers.

To implement the law California must seek a waiver from the U.S. EPA under the Clean Air Act. California requested the waiver in December 2005, and as of October 2007, the waiver still had not been granted. Read more about the national implications of California’s waiver request on the national Clean Cars Campaign site.

The California Clean Cars Campaign is supporting the state as it defends its groundbreaking vehicle global warming law.

Why California?

As the fifth-largest economy in the world and a longtime national leader in environmental solutions, California is critical to controlling and reducing global warming pollution. Passenger vehicles and light-duty trucks represent the largest sources of global warming pollution in the state, and are responsible for approximately 40 percent of California's total global warming emissions.

In contrast with the federal government, which has failed to take decisive action on reducing global warming, California is leading the nation and in step with scientists around the world. The time to act is now.

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