In addition, MASSPIRG has been campaigning for Senate Bill 2211, “An Act to Promote the Development of Alternative Fuels, and the Use of Alternative Fuel Vehicles in the Commonwealth.” This bill would create an incentive program in the Commonwealth to encourage the purchase of the most fuel efficient alternative fuel and hybrid-electric vehicles. The bill also establishes the Commonwealth Alternative Fuels Institute to study the development of alternative fuel vehicles technology. The bill’s passage would help put more clean cars on our roads helping to cut down on harmful air pollution, saving consumers cash at the pumps, and furthering our nation’s goal of energy independence.

How you can help
Send Commissioner Golledge an email and ask him to protect public health and the environment by implementing the newest and toughest global warming emissions standards in the country.

A Brief Summary
Cars and trucks emit approximately forty percent of the smog pollution and one third of the global warming pollution in Massachusetts. Moreover, Massachusetts’ air is among the dirtiest in the nation. Still, American automakers have made it clear that they would rather build bigger, dirtier cars than cleaner, more efficient ones. Even after sales of large SUVs plummeted this fall due to high gas prices, GM and Chrysler have both announced that they will introduce new SUV models.

In late February 2004, MASSPIRG and our partners stood up and testified that the ZEV, Zero Emissions Vehicle, Program will clean the air and protect public health while giving consumers the cars they want. The ZEV Progam will produce major emissions benefits by putting tens of thousands more clean, hybrid vehicles on the road by 2007.

Massachusetts has traditionally been a national leader in bringing cleaner cars to our roads. This year, MASSPIRG is working to make sure Massachusetts clean car standards remain the toughest in the nation, and that Massachusetts implements the regulations it is required to, like the Global Warming Emissions standards, on time. More.

Reports
Cars And Global Warming: Policy Options to Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Massachusetts Cars and Light Trucks 4/16/03

Ready To Roll: An assessment of Massachusetts' preparedness for the Zero-Emission Vehicle program 3/20/02

News Release
Re: President Bush and Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards 5/2/06
Massachusetts Adopts Global Warming Standards for Cars and Light Trucks 12/30/05
Environmental, Health Groups Push for Cleaner Cars 2/25/04

Fact Sheets
Clean Cars Standard
Eight Tips for Driving Cleaner
Top 10 Cleanest Vehicles on the Road

Testimony
Testimony of Transportation Advocate Brook McConnell on SB 2176, “An Act to Promote the Development of Alternative Fuels, and the Use of Alternative Fuel Vehicles in the Commonwealth” 9/13/05

Presented at the Clean Cars Hearing, 2/25/04, from:
MASSPIRG
Clean Water Action
Breath of Life for Dorchester

Links
Car Talk
This site has a great section dedicated to environmentally friendly vehicles.
EV World
A great news source for what's happening in the electric vehicle world.
Massachusetts Clean Cars Programs, including Low Emission Vehicle Program and the Zero Emission Vehicle Program.
Motor Trend
They wrote up the Toyota Prius as the Car of the Year.

Our Coalition Partners
Altwheels
A collaborative effort of cities and towns, educational, transportation, environmental organizations, and concerned citizens and business leaders from across New England to come together around cleaner cars.
American Lung Association of Massachusetts
Boston Urban Asthma Coalition
Clean Water Action
Natural Resources Defense Council
Solectria
A Massachusetts company that uses advanced technology to power clean car.
Union of Concerned Scientists

transportation agenda > clean cars overview