4 Automakers Reach Emissions Deal With California
LOS ANGELES (CBSLA) — California has cut a deal with four automakers as the Trump administration plans to rollback emissions standards.
Ford, Volkswagen, BMW and Honda have struck a deal with the California Air Resources Board to increase gas mileage and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
The carmakers say they mill raise average fuel economy to 50 miles-per-gallon by 2026, compared to the federal government's 37 miles-per-gallon threshold.
It also allows the companies to more freely use credits they earn from selling electric vehicles to meet emissions targets.
The deal comes after a two-year road block between State Leaders and the White House. In the coming weeks, the Trump Administration is expected to all but eliminate an Obama-era regulation to reduce vehicle emissions.
"So we decided that we would just go directly to the car companies and develop an agreement with them that made sense, both for California and for the rest of the nation," said Stanley Young, with the California Air Resources Board.
The Sierra Club says it's still waiting for more details of the agreement. But the environmental protection group thinks the car makers get what they want: a single, national standard.
"They're not going to get that with the Trump administration," said Sierra Club's Andrew Linhardt. "I think when the final rules come out from the Trump administration it's going to end up in courts for probably a significant amount of time."
Clarmont McKenna Professor Jack Pitney says there's a reason why Governor Newsom announced the deal with the four car companies that make up about 30 percent of all cars sold in the United States.
"It means that Gavin Newsom is taking a strong stance on the environment and pitting himself against Donald Trump. Politically, that's a winner for him," Pitney explained.
For car owners like Emili Kolevski, more efficient cars should not be a red or blue thing — but simply green!
"We need to consider our consumption of gas. And personally it affects you and your pocketbook," she said. "Wherever you lie politically, it's going to hit you."