To combat air pollution, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) requires all carmakers to sell a certain number of electric vehicles in the state. Those that fail to reach the quota could purchase zero-emissions-vehicle credits from other automakers in an open market.
One of the biggest beneficiaries is the Palo Alto-based high-end electric carmaker Tesla, which could pocket as much as $35,000 for each credit sold. The board says it only wants to incentivize automakers to make more pollution-free cars. Opponents want to know why the state is subsidizing a segment of the automobile industry that the consumer has shown little interest in anyway?
Guests:
Eileen Tutt, Executive Director of the California Electric Transportation Coalition, a non profit organization. Their members include utilities and automakers.
Eric Noble, President of the CarLab