California Emission Standards, Leading the Way

In 1994, California put into the books a stringent automobile emission policy that would create a cleaner and greener state. Automobile emissions regulate the amount of hazardous gases (NOx, SOx, CO) and soot released from tailpipes off all automobiles including cars trucks and busses. All of these regulations are enforced by the Environmental Protection Agency. 

Today, most cars and light trucks are certified to two standards, one California and one Federal. This allows automakers to sell their vehicles nationwide and still comply with both sets of emissions regulations. However, the legal requirements for vehicle certification are complex, and in some instances, vehicles can be certified to a single Federal standard nationwide, or to a single California standard sold only in limited areas. In the latter case, these vehicles are most often PZEVs sold either only in California, or to California and the “clean car states” that have adopted California’s vehicle regulations.

The emission policy in california began in 1994 with tier 1 emissions, which made California automobiles 10-15% cleaner than other US states. Tier 1 emissions are no longer in use. Tier 2 emissions were put into place during the spring of 2004, cutting emmisions further to 25% of all other US states. 

California has become a leader in cutting emissions. Since 2004, twelve states have adopted these standards and will have them in place by 2009. California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has led this green ship across the US and was recently interviewed about the future of automobile emmisions.