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ASCCA Participates in BAR’s DriveHealthy.com media event
On Tuesday, April 22, ASCCA President Allen Pennebaker, Government Affairs Committee Chair Bob Constant, Executive Director Jackie Miller, and legislative advocate Jack Molodanof participated in the launch of DriveHealthy.com, an initiative of the Bureau of Auto Repair, Department of Consumer Affairs. Taking place on the steps of the State Capitol, the media event kicking off the initiative included presentations by key officials of the Schwarzenegger Administration, including Rosario Marin, Secretary, State and Consumer Services Agency; Carrie Lopez, Director, Department of Consumer Affairs; and Sherry Mehl, Chief, Bureau of Automotive Affairs. ASCCA representatives had an opportunity for extensive discussions with BAR Chief Mehl, Deputy Chief Dick Sullivan, CalABC advocate Chris Walker and others.
The campaign encompasses community outreach events and a multi-lingual advertising campaign (English, Spanish, Vietnamese, Hmong, Mandarin, Cantonese, Korean), which was unveiled at the April 22 event. The event received wide media coverage.
The purpose of the DriveHealthy.com is to encourage California motorists to properly maintain their vehicles as a way to keep California’s air clean. For more information regarding the initiative, go to www.drivehealthy.com.
The campaign encompasses community outreach events and a multi-lingual advertising campaign (English, Spanish, Vietnamese, Hmong, Mandarin, Cantonese, Korean), which was unveiled at the April 22 event. The event received wide media coverage.
The purpose of the DriveHealthy.com is to encourage California motorists to properly maintain their vehicles as a way to keep California’s air clean. For more information regarding the initiative, go to www.drivehealthy.com.
ARB passes new ZEV amendment
Measure could produce 65,000 cleaner vehicles by 2012 (March 27, 2008)
Measure could produce 65,000 cleaner vehicles by 2012 (March 27, 2008)
SACRAMENTO: The Air Resources Board today voted to triple the amount of zero emissions vehicles that staff had proposed for automakers to produce from 2012 through 2014, while directing staff to look at overhauling the program to account for climate change benefits.
Staff had proposed to require 2,500 pure zero emission vehicles, which the Board increased to 7,500. Automakers can produce fewer ZEVs, 5,357, if they are long-range fuel cell vehicles or they can opt to satisfy the requirement by manufacturing 12,500 battery electric vehicles with a range of 100 miles.
The Board maintained a second component of the vehicle emissions reduction program that allows the automakers flexibility in their alternative fuel programs by requiring an additional 66,000 plug-in hybrids during that same period. If the automakers produce 25,000 ZEVs, there are no remaining plug-in hybrid requirements.
Additionally, ARB Chairman Mary Nichols directed staff to overhaul the ZEV program for 2015 vehicles to synch up with other Board tailpipe emission programs such as the Pavley regulations addressing greenhouse gas emissions and the low emissions vehicle program.
"Today's decision will lead to more green auto choices for consumers now while keeping the pressure on the automotive engineers to continue fine tuning the technologies that will yield an all electric-drive vehicle fleet for California in the near future," Nichols said. "We must continue to push for all types of technologies -- fuel cells, electric vehicles and hydrogen powered cars -- as we fight our duel battles against smog and global warming."
Created in 1990, the ZEV program seeks to spur technological advancements in the automobile industry that lead to more clean cars on California's roadways. The ZEV program is the world's only enforceable requirement for development and production of zero emissions vehicles.
As a direct result of the ZEV program, over 750,000 Californians are currently driving vehicles with near-zero emissions and an extended emissions warranty of 15 years or 150,000 miles. They are 80 percent cleaner than the average 2002 model year car. Today's action will assure many more near-zero and zero emission vehicles on California's roads in the near future.
The Air Resources Board is a department of the California Environmental Protection Agency. ARB's mission is to promote and protect public health, welfare, and ecological resources through effective reduction of air pollutants while recognizing and considering effects on the economy. The ARB oversees all air pollution control efforts in California to attain and maintain health based air quality standards.
Staff had proposed to require 2,500 pure zero emission vehicles, which the Board increased to 7,500. Automakers can produce fewer ZEVs, 5,357, if they are long-range fuel cell vehicles or they can opt to satisfy the requirement by manufacturing 12,500 battery electric vehicles with a range of 100 miles.
The Board maintained a second component of the vehicle emissions reduction program that allows the automakers flexibility in their alternative fuel programs by requiring an additional 66,000 plug-in hybrids during that same period. If the automakers produce 25,000 ZEVs, there are no remaining plug-in hybrid requirements.
Additionally, ARB Chairman Mary Nichols directed staff to overhaul the ZEV program for 2015 vehicles to synch up with other Board tailpipe emission programs such as the Pavley regulations addressing greenhouse gas emissions and the low emissions vehicle program.
"Today's decision will lead to more green auto choices for consumers now while keeping the pressure on the automotive engineers to continue fine tuning the technologies that will yield an all electric-drive vehicle fleet for California in the near future," Nichols said. "We must continue to push for all types of technologies -- fuel cells, electric vehicles and hydrogen powered cars -- as we fight our duel battles against smog and global warming."
Created in 1990, the ZEV program seeks to spur technological advancements in the automobile industry that lead to more clean cars on California's roadways. The ZEV program is the world's only enforceable requirement for development and production of zero emissions vehicles.
As a direct result of the ZEV program, over 750,000 Californians are currently driving vehicles with near-zero emissions and an extended emissions warranty of 15 years or 150,000 miles. They are 80 percent cleaner than the average 2002 model year car. Today's action will assure many more near-zero and zero emission vehicles on California's roads in the near future.
The Air Resources Board is a department of the California Environmental Protection Agency. ARB's mission is to promote and protect public health, welfare, and ecological resources through effective reduction of air pollutants while recognizing and considering effects on the economy. The ARB oversees all air pollution control efforts in California to attain and maintain health based air quality standards.
ASCCA's Involvement in NASTF Brings Results for California's Automotive Repair Businesses - Click here for details
ASCCA Takes Lead Plantiff Role to Protect California Auto Repair Industry (January 2008)
ASCCA and a coalition of state and national aftermarket trade associations have filed legal action against the California Air Resources Board (CARB). ASCCA is the lead plaintiff in the suit. Filed in Los Angeles County Superior Court, the lawsuit challenges anti-competitive regulations promulgated by the Air Resources Board that would require car companies to extend emissions warranties for parts found defective by emissions warranty information reporting requirements. Scott Brown, an ASSCA member shop owner in Claremont (Los Angeles County), is also a named plaintiff.
The lawsuit charges that CARB produced no proof that the extended emissions warranties are actually effective in providing incentives to the car companies to build more durable emissions systems. Further, CARB has no data that indicate whether warranties are as effective in moving the motorist to obtain needed emissions related repairs.
"The action by CARB to extend warranties to the useful life will cause extensive economic damage to independent aftermarket service facilities in the State and is unlikely to provide any real clean air or consumer benefit," according to Jackie Miller, Executive Director of the Automotive Service Councils of California. "Because car owners will have no idea whether a needed repair that is indicated by the malfunction indicator light is covered by the extended warranty, motorists will return to the dealer for nearly all repairs. " In addition to ASCCA and Scott Brown, other plaintiffs in the lawsuit include the Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association, Automotive Parts Remanufacturers Association, California Automotive Wholesalers Association, California Autobody Association, California Service Station and Automotive Repair Association, California Automotive Business Coalition, Care Care Professionals Network, and Independent Automotive Professionals Association.
The lawsuit charges that CARB produced no proof that the extended emissions warranties are actually effective in providing incentives to the car companies to build more durable emissions systems. Further, CARB has no data that indicate whether warranties are as effective in moving the motorist to obtain needed emissions related repairs.
"The action by CARB to extend warranties to the useful life will cause extensive economic damage to independent aftermarket service facilities in the State and is unlikely to provide any real clean air or consumer benefit," according to Jackie Miller, Executive Director of the Automotive Service Councils of California. "Because car owners will have no idea whether a needed repair that is indicated by the malfunction indicator light is covered by the extended warranty, motorists will return to the dealer for nearly all repairs. " In addition to ASCCA and Scott Brown, other plaintiffs in the lawsuit include the Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association, Automotive Parts Remanufacturers Association, California Automotive Wholesalers Association, California Autobody Association, California Service Station and Automotive Repair Association, California Automotive Business Coalition, Care Care Professionals Network, and Independent Automotive Professionals Association.
State takes step to curb warning-Sacramento Bee, April 21, 2007
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