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BMW Group supports investing cap-and-trade revenues in clean energy
solutions necessary to achieve California’s long-term
environmental, public health, and economic goals.  Noting the
critical role efficient vehicle technologies will play in reducing
emissions in the transportation sector, Executive Order B-16-2012
set a benchmark of 1.5 million zero emission vehicles in California
by 2025.  Unfortunately, tools like the AB118 funding for consumer
incentives necessary to accelerate the still nascent clean vehicle
market will expire just when they are needed most.  Revenue from
California’s cap-and-trade program, much of which will come from
the transportation sector, could meet this need and ensure the
goals established by executive order and required by AB 32 are met,
keeping California at the forefront of the nation’s efforts to
secure a clean energy future.

Vehicle technologies that can significantly reduce CO2 emissions
are already available.  For example, driving a modern plug-in
electric vehicle on California’s relatively clean electricity mix
today emits only a quarter as much as the average conventional
vehicle.  Those gains will only increase as California continues to
improve the environmental performance of its electricity
generation, as required by the Renewable Portfolio Standard.

Consumer incentives play a critical role in accelerating adoption
of such next-generation clean technologies.  Unfortunately, funding
sources for many clean vehicle incentive programs are set to expire
just when they are needed most.  Revenue from California’s
cap-and-trade program should be used to meet this need, and to
accelerate consumer investment in vehicles that will play a central
role in meeting the goals established by Executive Order B-16-2012
and the targets required by AB 32.  Californians have led the
nation in creating an early market for clean vehicles, purchasing
the lion’s share of the first widely available plug-in cars, but
success is far from guaranteed.  Continuity of incentive funding
will be critical to ensure the market expands sufficiently to
reduce the state’s dependence on fossil fuels, meet long-term
environmental goals, and secure California’s leadership in the
clean energy economy.
BMW Group will be pleased to provide input to ARB developing
appropriate plans in order to achieve the above mentioned goals.