SACRAMENTO –  The California Environmental Protection Agency's Air Resources Board (ARB) today amended its Zero Emission Vehicle rule by standardizing electric vehicle charging equipment.  The ARB also updated the formula used to calculate each manufacturer's required number of ZEVs to reflect recent industry acquisitions and mergers.

    Alan Lloyd, ARB Chairman said, "The move to standardize is an essential step in the growth of EV technology and is needed to provide certainty to the public and manufacturers.  Also, the Board felt that because of its lower costs and durability conductive chargers offered the best option for the future, he added.

    After public testimony from ARB staff, auto manufacturers and others, the ARB approved the staff proposal to select the conductive charging system used by Ford, Honda and several other manufacturers, starting in 2006.  As a result of this action, existing inductive chargers used for General Motors, Toyota and Nissan vehicles will continue to be operated and maintained, but probably will not be expanded.

    ARB staff recommended the conductive systems because they are reliable, durable, less costly more amenable to future plans for putting power back on the grid.  According to staff estimates, conductive charging systems are likely to range in costs from $700 to $1400 whereas inductive charging units can range from $1900 to $3500.  Staff also concluded that because most components of the conductive systems are onboard vehicle manufacturers will find it easier to improve the systems.

    The ARB also adopted a new formula for multi-manufacturer companies that determines the number of ZEVs, Advanced Technology ZEVs and PZEVs based on the total production of a manufacturer and any subsidiaries of which it has more than 50 percent control.  For manufacturers such as Ford, owner of Jaguar and Volvo and a share of Mazda, and Volkswagen, which owns Rolls Royce and Lamborgini, this rule change will result in more ZEVs or advanced technology PZEVs (Partial Zero Emission Vehicles) being required.

    Specifically, Ford will be required to build as many as 165 additional pure ZEVs and 953 Advanced Technology PZEVs at an estimated added cost of about $2.6 million.  Volkswagen, the only other company affected by the rule today, must build an additional 125 PZEVs at an estimated added cost of $100,000.

    ARB Chairman Alan Lloyd said, "Because of the many mergers and acquisitions that have occurred since 1990 when the ZEV rule was adopted, some adjustments in the requirements of each company had to be made.  I think these changes will again allow manufacturers to compete on an even playing field."

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