The US Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) decision to grant California’s request to carry out its own clean car standards not only clears the way for the Schwarzenegger-led state to cut its own greenhouse gas emissions, but it is likely to effect at least 13 additional states too.

A new Environmental Defence Fund report shows that 13 states have adopted California’s clean car standards that aim to save hundreds of dollars annually at the pump and reduce heat trapping greenhouse gases. The 13 states are: Arizona, Connecticut, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont and Washington.

The decision follows President Obama’s landmark agreement to adopt federal emission standards for the model years 2012-2016. EPA estimates that the national programme will cut greenhouse gas emissions from the light duty fleet by 19 per cent by 2030.

The state clean standards meanwhile, will apply from model years 2009-2011 allowing compliance across the 14 states to expand the averaging pool for determining compliance. From 2012 onwards, the new national standards would be deemed to reflect the state standards and the auto industry would dismiss its legal challenges.