Honda's FCX-V4 is the first fuel cell vehicle to be certified by both the EPA and CARB. It is currently being used by the City of Los Angeles, with 4 more on the way, as well as other government fleets. Honda has had a compressed gaseous hydrogen refueling station built within the city. (Photo: Honda)

What has CARB done to hopefully appease these auto giants? First the program would be delayed until 2005 from 2003, while its required number of near-zero emission vehicles, such as electric-battery or fuel-cell vehicles, would be cut in half to 5%. Bloomberg News stated that CARB believes this amendment will make it easier for companies to comply, allowing them to offer more hybrid diesel or gas/electric cars.

The news agency continued that a General Motors spokesman declined to comment on whether the changes would affect the company's cooperative suit with DaimlerChrysler that alleged the California's emissions program attempted to regulate fuel economy, violating the Energy Policy and Conservation Act of 1975 that permits only the federal government to set such standards.

With this in mind CARB deleted all references to fuel economy from the most recent version of the plan, initiated in 1990, according to spokesman Jerry Martin. Noteworthy is the fact that since the early 1970s California has had federal permission to set automotive exhaust rules that exceed national standards, due to the southern part of the state's chronically poor air-quality.