Because for Model Year 2024/25/26, EPA Light Vehicle Emission Standards are very different from CARB Light Vehicle Emission Standards. The current administration has EPA moving to harmonized requirements with CARB, yet that can not happen until the new standards for 2027 and beyond are released.
I am unsure why
@Hell4Leather keeps stating the falsehood that EPA & CARB have the same light vehicle standards today? They do not and you can look this up on the various EPA & CARB websites. Beyond the Emission standards, EPA & CARB have different standards (exemptions) for Small Low Volume Manufacturers.
Thus for Model Year 2024.... Lotus has to deal with the 2 different regulations in order to sell in all 50 states.