But it still gives them alternatives to the level of ZEV production currently required in the regulations. The changes are being made in response to the Board's instructions at the September meeting to address such issues as near-term product availability, market stability, and ensuring a sustainable market for ZEVs. The changes are prompted by the staff's admission that the existing state of battery technology will probably mean that any ZEVs introduced in 2003 will be much more expensive than conventional vehicles. Medium size manufacturers have the option of meeting all of their 2003 requirements by using PZEVs. In succeeding years, the manufacturers must have a greater mix of full ZEVs.
Manufacturers also have several other alternatives to selling full ZEVs under the current program.
These include the option of earning extra ZEV credits by introducing the vehicles prior to 2003, introducing vehicles that can go more than 100 miles before requiring recharge, and delaying compliance by one year if they produce two years worth of ZEVs during the 2004 model year. There are also various other aspects of this complex regulation, including a marketable credits system. The changes proposed by the staff make an already complex rule even more difficult to understand and evaluate. Other changes in the regulation include the following. The staff feels that the credit given for these limited range vehicles is too high given their relative cost and functionality versus other vehicle categories.