The California Air Resources Board (CARB) has voted to maintain its greenhouse gas (GHG) emission standards and zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) program for passenger cars and light-duty trucks sold in the state through 2025. 

The move sets up a potential showdown with the Trump administration, which has reopened a federal review of fuel economy standards. Automakers asked for the review in February.

The California board's decision was reached based on the findings of a staff report that included an analysis of the Technical Assessment Report developed by state and federal agencies, as well as the first in-depth analysis of the ZEV market in California.

Based on this study, CARB voted to pursue policies to support 4 million ZEVs in the state by 2030, and to reduce average fleet-wide GHG emissions from new vehicles by 4-5% between 2025 and 2030. The board also voted to support the expansion of the zero-emission vehicle marketplace before 2025, continue complementary programs such as the Low Carbon Fuel Standard, and redouble efforts on state incetives, utility infrastructure programs, and expanded public education programs.

CARB's vote was supported by representatives from the 12 other states have adopted California's standards: Connecticut, Delaware, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, New Jersey, New York, Oregeon, Pennsylvannia, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Washington, as well as Washington, D.C. In total, these standards will affect 113 million residents across these states, accounting for roughly 30% of new car sales in the nation.

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