California Has New Green Requirement For Car Sellers

July 8, 2008 3:43 p.m. EST

Los Angeles, CA (AHN) - Beginning on Jan. 1, 2009, all new vehicles sold in California must have a window sticker that indicates the car's global warming scores.

The score ranges from 0 to 10 to tell how much smog and greenhouse gas the auto releases in the environment. Ten is the highest score and zero the lowest.

A Honda Civic hybrid has a 9 score for smog and 10 for greenhouse gases. The Ford E-250 Econoline van got a very low 1 on both categories, while Toyota's 4Runner scored 5 for both categories.

As early as July vehicles in the state may already display their score, said Dimitri Stanich, spokesman of California's Air Resources Board.

California is the first state to pass such a law. A similar regulation will be implemented in New York state by 2010.