Released: December 07, 2011

Clean car standards will protect consumers

Latest poll shows overwhelming support for clean cars

Contact: Christina Haro, 415-453-0430

San Francisco, CA – Today, California consumer leader Ken McEldowney, Co-Chair of the California Clean Cars Campaign and Executive Director of Consumer Action, issued the following statement in response to today’s release of the California Air Resources Board staff proposal for updating its groundbreaking Advanced Clean Cars Program:

“Now is the time for California to push for cleaner, more efficient cars. Analysts say gas prices might be headed to record highs in 2012, with some expecting regular gasoline to climb as high as $4.59 in California.* What do you think gasoline will cost in 2017, when the standards take effect? Or, 2025 when these standards are fully implemented? California consumers want and need cleaner cars that insulate them from rising costs at the pump. The standards are the push automakers need to meet consumer demand.”

In poll after poll, consumers continue to demand cleaner more fuel-efficient cars, SUVs and trucks. The latest Consumer Reports poll of California consumers found that:

• Eighty-one percent of respondents in California agree that the state should require all automakers to reduce significantly the emissions of greenhouse gases from new cars, light-duty trucks and SUVs.
• Three quarters of California consumers – 75 percent – think California should require automakers to build fleets that include increasing numbers of zero emission vehicles, including electric and hydrogen fuel cells cars.
• Seventy-seven percent of respondents in California said there should be state requirements for oil companies to make cleaner fuels like hydrogen or electricity available for public consumption once there are enough cars in the area that run on these alternatives.

The suite of standards that make up the Advanced Clean Cars Program that were released in the staff proposal will enable California greenhouse gas standards to dovetail with recently updated national vehicle emissions and fuel economy standards. Other components of the program will set tighter standards for smog-forming emissions and put the state on a path to accelerate the market for advanced technology vehicles such as electric and hydrogen fuel cell cars.

*Gas prices might be headed to record highs in 2012, analysts say - Los Angeles Times, November 8, 2011, Ronald D. White.

About the California Clean Cars Campaign

The California Clean Cars Campaign is comprised of public health leaders, consumer groups, businesses, local governments, elected officials, organized labor, faith groups, environmental organizations, and other diverse constituencies that support the strongest possible standards for California’s groundbreaking Clean Cars Program. Bringing the next generation of advanced, clean cars into the driveways of California families will help to reduce our dependence on oil, save consumers money, reduce air pollution, and support new jobs and investment in the state’s clean energy economy.

Click here for a list of the Clean Cars Campaign Advisory Committee.

Click here for a complete list of supporters of the California Clean Cars Campaign.