Report on Admendments to Low Emmision Vehicle Standards

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Media Advisory

Date
Release Number
98-57

Contacts

Richard Varenchik
Public Information Office
(916) 322-2990

SACRAMENTO – The California Air Resources Board (ARB) has released the final staff report on the proposed amendments to the Low Emission Vehicle standards, also known as "LEV II", in preparation for a November 5 public hearing in El Monte.

Changes to the original 1990 Low Emission Vehicle (LEV) standards include:

  • Increasing the passenger car class weight limit to 8,500 lbs. making 90 percent of sport utility vehicles subject to LEV standards.
  • Tightening medium-duty vehicles emission standards.
  • Requiring manufacturers to increase durability standards from 100,000 miles to 120,000 miles.
  • Awarding partial Zero-Emission Vehicle credit for those with the cleanest technologies reaching near zero-emissions.        

The proposed LEV II standards are expected to reduce smog-forming evaporative and tailpipe emissions in Southern California by 56 tons per day by 2010.  More Information  or contact the Board's Public Information Office at (916) 322-2990.

CARB's mission is to promote and protect public health, welfare, and ecological resources through effective reduction of air pollutants while recognizing and considering effects on the economy. The CARB oversees all air pollution control efforts in California to attain and maintain health based air quality standards.