BC follows California - looks to force automakers to cut tailpipe emissions

Posted by Danielle Jarvis

BC has introduced Bill 39 - 2008 Greenhouse Gas Reduction (Vehicle Emissions Standards) Act, which is designed to force automakers to reduce tailpipe emissions in an effort to battle climate change and provide consumers with a range of vehicle options. The legislation targets auto manufacturers, and sets out pre-determined fleet-average GHG emissions standards for family vehicles such as cars, SUVs, minivans and small trucks. Under the “fleet average” approach, manufacturers can continue to sell vehicles that exceed the allowed emissions standards, provided that they offset this by selling enough low or zero emission vehicles.

The new tailpipe standards follow California’s 2004 regulation and once fully implemented in 2016, the standards are expected to reduce GHG emissions by 30%, relative to current models and achieve a reduction of personal vehicle GHG emissions of nearly 600,000 tonnes annually in B.C.