The Renewable Fuels Association is urging the California Air Resources Board (CARB) to require all new vehicles with internal combustion engines sold within the state be flex-fuel capable in an effort to achieve California’s carbon emissions goals.
RFA submitted comments to CARB in response to a late June workshop on potential amendments to the state’s Advanced Clean Cars II regulations.
“With the substantial portion of legacy vehicles that will still be on the road after 2035 when new ZEV [zero-emission vehicle] requirements take full effect, and with the twenty percent allowance for PHEVs [plug-in hybrid electric vehicles] under those rules, it is critical to maximize greenhouse gas reductions in both the legacy fleet and new PHEVs sold after 2035,” wrote RFA Chief Economist Scott Richman.
Citing new independent research, Richman said that expanding and sustaining the benefits of E85 utilization in California through a flex fuel requirement represents a unique opportunity for maximizing greenhouse gas benefits while lowering costs to the consumer under the state’s Advanced Clean Cars program.