Regulations designed to put more fuel-efficient vehicles on the road could boost the Californian economy and create jobs in the state, a new study suggests.

The report from Next 10, entitled Driving California's Economy, forecast that by 2025 gross state product could be increased by up to 1.31 per cent.

Between 38,000 and 236,000 jobs might also be created within 14 years and greenhouse gas emissions may drop by as much as 19 per cent in California, the publication predicts.

Author Professor David Roland-Holst commented: "Our study indicates that when it comes to fuel economy and emissions standards, Californians don't have to choose between a robust economy and a cleaner vehicle fleet."

This comes after the National Compensation Survey conducted by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics found the average pay earned by civilian workers in San Jose-San Francisco-Oakland metropolitan area was 20 per cent higher than the national average.

Posted by Fiona Summers