Will Golden State's Relaxation of Zero Emissions Mandate End Automaker's Lawsuit?

The all-electric GM Impact, shown here in show car trim as the centerpiece of GM's display at Disney World's Innoventions exhibit at EPCOT '94, was the first 'mass market' ZEV vehicle available in the California market. The Impact, that first debuted at the Los Angeles Auto Show in 1990, offered surprisingly quick acceleration and reasonable range, provided you didn't take advantage of its acceleration. (Photo: General Motors)

According to Bloomberg News, California has amended its zero-emission vehicle mandate by moving back the start date by two years and relaxing some requirements. Why? It hopes that automakers, currently suing the state to impede the program from going forward, will drop their opposition.

In a rare moment when two automotive giants meet on common ground, General Motors and DaimlerChrysler AG combined forces with the US Justice Department last year, winning a federal injunction that temporarily blocked California's Air Resources Board (CARB)from enforcing their initiative. Why the fuss? The plan focuses on only the six largest auto manufacturers and requires them to not only offer near-zero emissions vehicles, but to make sure at least 10% of total vehicles sold are near zero polluters.