☰

Empresas y finanzas

U.S. government and California merge timelines for car standards


    WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The federal government on Monday announced an agreement with California regulators to release proposed fuel economy requirements and standards to cut greenhouse gas emissions on future vehicles at the same time.

    California will now release its fuel and emission standards for 2017-2025 model year cars and light-duty trucks simultaneously with the Environmental Protection Agency and the Transportation Department by this September 1.

    The California Air Resources Board had planned to issue its new standards by March, while the federal government had said it would release its standards by the end of September.

    "Today's announcement is a big step forward, but it is only the beginning," said Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood.

    By working together, LaHood said the agencies will be able to set a standard that "works for automakers across the country."

    California can set its own vehicle emissions standards with federal approval and it received the go-ahead to do so from the Obama administration. But when the federal government announced a national vehicle fuel economy and emissions-cutting plan that was strong like California's, the state agreed to harmonize its rules.

    (Reporting by Ayesha Rascoe; Editing by Lisa Shumaker)