California has approved the nation's most advanced clean-car regulations, solidifying its position as a leader in the electric vehicle industry while slashing greenhouse gas emissions.

On Friday, the California Air Resources Board voted 9-0 in favor of new rules mandating that one in every seven cars sold in the state in 2025 be an ultra-low- or zero-emission vehicle.

The regulations also bring California in line with President Barack Obama's goal of doubling the nation's auto fuel economy standards over the next 13 years from the current 27.3 miles per gallon to 54.5 mpg.

"This really is a historic new chapter in California's history with the automobile," said Mary Nichols, the air board's chairwoman.

The new rules, which begin to take effect in 2017, set a target of about 1.4 million ultra-clean cars to be sold in California by the year 2025.

The regulations also aim to reduce carbon emissions by 52 million tons each year, the equivalent of taking 10 million cars off the state roads.

Environmentalists applauded Friday's vote, which came at the end of a two-day meeting in Los Angeles that featured testimony from about 90 people. Auto manufacturers – after years of fighting similar campaigns – said they now support the new rules.

Companies such as Chevrolet, BMW, Nissan and Honda all provided testimony that was generally in favor of the clean-car regulations.

A number of auto manufacturers already are seeing opportunity in the clean-car market. All-electric cars like the Nissan Leaf and plug-in hybrids such as the Chevrolet Volt have grown in popularity among California consumers in recent years.

"These new rules will put cleaner, more advanced vehicles in dealerships. Buyers won't have to search high and low for choices that reduce their pollution footprint," said Sierra Club California Director Kathryn Phillips.

California's electric-car makers represent one of the bright emerging industries in the Golden State. Companies such as Tesla Motors and Better Place, both of Palo Alto, are pioneers in the clean-car industry.

A recent report by San Francisco-based nonprofit Next10 found that California leads the nation in patents for electric-vehicle technology. Globally, it trails only Japan and South Korea.

The loudest voice of dissent Friday came from car dealers, who said the new rules will mean higher prices for consumers.

The 1,300-member California New Car Dealers Association said the sticker price for the average all-electric vehicle or plug-in hybrid vehicle will be about $12,000 more than the average price for a conventional gasoline-powered car in the year 2020.

The state and consumer advocates counter that California motorists will see significant fuel savings.

According to air board staff estimates, the average driver will save about $6,000 in gasoline costs over the life of a clean car. Statewide, the board projects the savings to be around $5 billion in the year 2025 alone.

Washington, D.C.-based Consumer Federation of America said that buyers of more fuel-efficient cars will see immediate savings. The CFA estimated that the average monthly gasoline savings from owning a new clean car will be significantly greater than the increased monthly car payments.

The CFA said a recent poll it conducted shows that 75 percent of consumers support higher fuel economy standards.

"Not only will this program save the environment, this program will save consumers money," said Jack Gillis, the CFA's director of public affairs.

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