The Case For ZEV Standards

Because EVs are the cleanest cars available, they are needed to meet state and federal mandates to cut smog. As gas-thirsty sport-utility vehicles multiply, air quality targets on which federal funds depend will be more difficult to achieve. Just as important, the zero-emission mandate has helped push other clean technologies. The commercial debut of hybrid gasoline-electric cars with mileage as high as 60 miles per gallon owes much to the state's zero-emission goals.