The California Air Resources Board (CARB) has voted to keep its zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) mandate in place, which requires automakers to produce 4,450 to 15,450 electric cars starting in 2003. CARB is holding firm to its 10-year-old ZEV rules, but gave automakers additional options to meet their requirements. The changes enacted Jan. 25 require automakers to begin putting new ZEVs in California by 2003. The number can vary from 4,450 to 15,450, depending on the types of ZEVs each automaker chooses to bring to market. CARB requires 100,000 other highly clean vehicles in 2003, and up to 400,000-plus by 2006. The board also will begin in 2007 including heavier sport/utility vehicles, pickup trucks, and vans in the sales figures used to calculate the number of ZEVs required, which increases the number of vehicles used to calculate ZEV requirements from 1 million to more than 1.5 million.