70.120A.020 - Early credits and banking--Alternative means of compliance.

Early credits and banking — Alternative means of compliance.

(1) In recognition of the provisions of the federal clean air act which require a minimum phase-in period of three model years for adoption of California motor vehicle emission standards, the implementing rules shall include a system of early credits and banking for manufacturers for zero emission vehicles produced and sold earlier than the implementation date for the standards in Washington. Beginning with the model year in which the new standards become effective, each manufacturer's fleet of passenger cars and light duty trucks delivered for sale in the state of Washington shall proportionately conform to the zero emission vehicle requirements of Title 13 of the California Code of Regulations, including early credit and banking provisions set forth in Title 13 of the Code of California Regulations using Washington specific vehicle numbers. A manufacturer shall be given early Washington zero emission vehicle credits proportionally equivalent to the zero emission vehicle credits possessed by the requesting manufacturer for use in the state of California on January 1st of the model year the California standards become effective in Washington.

     (2) In addition, an alternative means of compliance with the requirements of subsection (1) of this section shall be created in the implementing rules provided for in RCW 70.120A.010. The alternative means of compliance shall allow a manufacturer to earn Washington zero emission vehicle credits beginning with the 2005 model year. The alternative means of compliance shall be developed to be consistent in concept with the alternative compliance systems developed for the states of Connecticut, New York, and Maine as they adopted the zero emission vehicle provisions of the California motor vehicle standards and shall contain a Washington multiplier consistent with the multipliers in those systems. The implementing rules shall require timely notification by the manufacturer to the department of ecology of an election to use the alternative means of compliance.

[2005 c 295 § 3.]

Notes: Findings -- 2005 c 295: See note following RCW 70.120A.010.