Cleaner Cars Mean Cleaner Air, Less Global Warming Pollution and Less Dependence on Foreign Oil
Even a small change in how much you drive, the vehicle you drive,
or the fuel you use can make a big difference to Maine’s air
quality, global warming pollution, your health, your pocketbook and
national energy independence.
Sometimes you can walk, ride your bike, carpool or take a bus or train
to get where you want to go, and that’s the best way to go.
But, when you need to drive, you can also choose a cleaner car. Cleaner
cars (see list below) can be fueled by gasoline, natural gas, propane,
bio-diesel, ultra low sulphur diesel, or electric batteries. Hybrid
cars use both gasoline and electric engines.
Cleaner cars emit far less air and global warming pollution than standard
ones and use a lot less fuel, with many models achieving between 30-50
mpg.
Cleaner Cars for Maine Sticker Program
The Cleaner Cars for Maine Sticker Program is a labeling program that
helps car buyers to find the cleanest and most fuel efficient vehicles
available.
Almost every carmaker has some models that qualify. The Maine Department
of Environmental Protection, the Maine Auto Dealers Association and
the Natural Resources Council of Maine developed this first-in-the-nation
program in 1999.
To qualify for the program, a vehicle must be a certified “Low
Emission Vehicle” (CALEV or better) that gets at least 30 miles
per gallon.
Beginning in 2009, about 11 percent of new cars sold in Maine will
be either hybrid gas-electric or new clean-burning gasoline-powered
cars as a result of new legislation supported by NRCM that was signed
into law by Governor Baldacci in 2005.
Qualifying Cars for the Cleaner Cars for Maine Sticker Program:
For a complete list of all cars that qualify for the Cleaner Cars
Sticker Program go to:
Model Year 2008:
http://www.maine.gov/dep/air/lev4me/documents/2008clean.pdf
Model Year 2007:
www.maine.gov/dep/air/mobile/documents/Copy%20of%202007%20Clean%20Car%20List.pdf
Links to related web sites:
www.fueleconomy.gov - Hosted by U.S. Department of Energy - find and compare clean cars,
fuel economy and more!
www.driveclean.ca.gov/en/gv/home/index.asp - Hosted by the California Air Resources Board – zero and near-zero
emission vehicle guide.
www.mainehybrids.com–
Hosted by Lee Auto Malls - all about hybrids in Maine – where
to buy new and used.
www.eere.energy.gov–
Hosted by U.S. Department of Energy’s Alternative Fuels Data
Center – information on alternative fuels and the vehicles that
use them.
www.hybridcenter.org - Hosted by Union of Concerned Scientists