BUSINESS MEMO: ELECTRIC CAR FUTURE

The future of electric cars in the United States is likely to be determined when California decides whether to pursue a requirement for pollution-free vehicles.

The state's Air Resources Board is to rule this fall whether to keep, modify or drop a rule requiring that 10 percent of new cars and light trucks sold in the state have zero emissions. The rule would affect all automakers selling at least 3,000 new cars a year in the state and would take effect with 2003 models.

With California the nation's leader in requiring cleaner cars, environmentalists and health groups expect a major campaign by auto companies to overturn or weaken the requirement. It has been scaled back twice already.