| ECOLOGY |
And because automakers are getting emissions credits for vehicles that have technology installed in them, they are becoming increasingly interested in the technology. But automakers also have a regulatory incentive to use technology The California Air Resources Board (CARB) is giving automakers credits toward its Zero Emission Vehicle Program, which certifies partial zero emission vehicles (PZEV). The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency allows automakers to get credits for technology under its Low Emission Vehicle Program. Regulators have been trying to rein in ground-level ozone by restricting emissions of the agents believed to cause it--nitrogen oxide and volatile organic compounds--and are giving technology credits toward these emissions. CARB, for example, is calling for a limit of 10 mg per mile for VOCs and is giving technology cars credit worth about 4 to 5 mg per mile--thereby lowering the burden on automakers to meet the standard.
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