Because of this serious pollution problem, California has for over 20 years set tough pollution laws. Even so LA's smog problem has not been solved. So now, the 'sunshine state' has taken the first step towards removing the internal combustion engine altogether from its roads. From 1998,all car-makers who sell their cars in California will have to offer a proportion of electric cars for sale. In 1998 the proportion of electric cars offered must two per cent, rising to five per cent by 2003 and to ten per cent by 2005