 
15-Day Draft of California Auto Glass Regulations
Released; Now Available for Public Comment
December 16, 2009
The California Air Resources Board (CARB) has released the 15-day
draft of the auto glass regulations the board voted to adopt in
June. The draft, which specifies the type of glass to be used in
vehicles sold in the state for model-year 2012 and later, is now
open for public comment. Comments are due on January 11, 2010.
The regulations apply to replacement glass on vehicles model-year
2012 and later. Following are some of the key requirements of the
regulations:
- "For 2012 model year vehicles, at least 25 percent of each
manufacturer's projected California vehile sales volume must use
a windshield with a (total solar transmittance (Tts) less than
or equal to 50 percent;"
- "For 2013 model year vehicles, at least 50 percent of each
manufacturer's projected California vehicle sales volume must
use a windshield with a Tts less than or equal to 50 percent;"
and
- "For 2014 and 2015 model-year vehicles, all windshields
must have a Tts less than or equal to 50 percent."
In addition, the 15-day draft permits an option for 2016 and subsequent
model-year vehicles that allows manufacturers to "demonstrate
equivalent solar control using the specified alternative test procedure
approved in advance by the Executive Officer in lieu of the glazing
requirements
"
The full text of the 15-day draft is available for download on
the CARB "Cool Cars" site. (CLICK
HERE to download.)
Comments should be submitted to Marijke
Bekken, lead staff member on the initiative, with a copy to
Sharon Lemieux.
The goal of the regulations is to reduce the amount of heat that
is transmitted through the glass, thus easing the load on a vehicle's
air conditioner and reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the state,
as part of an initiative taken on by the state after AB 32 was passed
in 2006.
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