n a major effort to demonstrate demand and encourage
production of clean vehicles, the Union of Concerned Scientists
has kicked off the Clean Car Pledge Campaign. This campaign will
continue for the next few months leading up to the decision that
the California Air Resources Board will be making on continuation
of the Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) program.
California's
ZEV Program has been the driving force behind the development
of clean car technologies, and has been strongly supported by
environmental groups. It is the only program in the country that
requires automakers to manufacture zero-and near-zero emission
vehicles. It can claim credit for many automotive advancements
in the past decade, including placing battery electric cars on
the road and encouraging automakers to design cleaner gasoline
vehicles. The program has become a model for the nation and has
been adopted by New York, Massachusetts, Vermont, and Maine.
With the
encouragement of the ZEV Program, automakers have shown they
can design and manufacture cleaner cars. However they have been
reluctant to market clean technologies, claiming consumers
don't want clean cars. When the California ZEV program
comes up for review this next year, automakers will try to weaken,
if not eliminate, the program.
Consumer
support through the Clean Car Pledge campaign is the best way
to counter the arguments automakers are making against the viability
of continued production of ZEVs. Thousands of individuals have
signed a simple pledge that they will purchase the greenest vehicle
available that fits their needs and budget in making their next
automobile purchase.
Will the
ZEV program be continued? Will clean cars become the vehicles
of the future or just a flash in the pan? It's up to us! By being
an early adopter of a new technology, your impact will be much
greater. Take 30 seconds right now to sign the Clean Car Pledge.
In doing so, you will send a message to automakers that, yes,
there is a demand for cars that reduce global warming and air
pollution. You will find the pledge at www.cleancarpledge.org.
To receive email about local transportation issues, send an email to Carolyn Chase, .
The Union
of Concerned Scientists is a national, nonprofit organization
that works to improve the environment in ways that preserve our
health, protect our safety, and enhance the qualify of life in
our communities. UCS works to promote clean energy and transportation,
reduced global warming emissions, sustainable agricultural, arms
control, and protection of biological diversity. UCS has 60,000
members, with offices in Massachusetts, Washington, DC and California.
www.ucsusa.org.
n a major effort to demonstrate demand and encourage
production of clean vehicles, the Union of Concerned Scientists
has kicked off the Clean Car Pledge Campaign. This campaign will
continue for the next few months leading up to the decision that
the California Air Resources Board will be making on continuation
of the Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) program.
California's
ZEV Program has been the driving force behind the development
of clean car technologies, and has been strongly supported by
environmental groups. It is the only program in the country that
requires automakers to manufacture zero-and near-zero emission
vehicles. It can claim credit for many automotive advancements
in the past decade, including placing battery electric cars on
the road and encouraging automakers to design cleaner gasoline
vehicles. The program has become a model for the nation and has
been adopted by New York, Massachusetts, Vermont, and Maine.
. 