On the web at www.cleanairchoices.org
In its first major consumer empowerment initiative since 1-800-CUT-SMOG, the South Coast Air Quality Management District (AQMD) unveiled its Clean Air Choice program in a news conference at the Petersen Automotive Museum emceed by actor and environmental activists Ed Begley Jr. This innovative new car labeling program is designed to help new car buyers easily identify Clean Air Choice cars, sport utilities, pickups, and vans.
"Purchasing a new vehicle is one of the most important environmental decisions that people make," said William Burke, chairman of the South Coast Air Quality Management District. "By looking for the new Clean Air Choice label, automobile buyers can rest assured that they will be doing their part to help clean the air."
Under the new program – launched jointly by the AQMD and the Greater Los Angeles New Car Dealers Association -- participating auto dealers will prominently post the colorful Clean Air Choice label on all new vehicles offered for sale that meet California’s ultra-low emissions vehicle (ULEV), super ultra low emissions vehicle (SULEV), or zero emissions vehicle (ZEV) standards.
"The Clean Air Choice label shows that automobile dealers and manufacturers are playing a key role in cleaning up air pollution in Southern California," said Scott Gunderson, president of the Greater Los Angeles New Car Dealers Association.
"We’re proud to show this to our customers and delighted to be able to offer a full range of vehicles, SUV’s, vans, pickups, and passenger cars that can contribute to cleaner air."
AQMD and the Dealer’s Association are jointly sponsoring the Clean Air Choice labeling program to make it easy for environmentally-concerned customers to identify low-emitting vehicles.
Motor vehicles are the single largest source of air pollution in the Southland, responsible for 49% of smog-forming emissions. Vehicles eligible for the Clean Air Choice label, however, emit a fraction of the pollution that non-qualifying vehicles emit.
AQMD will support the program through a series of radio spots starting July 2, by providing dealers with labels and brochures explaining the program and listing all Clean Air Choice models, a new web site on the program (www.cleanairchoices.org), and ongoing outreach to the public and auto dealers on the benefits of Clean Air Choice vehicles.
Ask to see the Clean Air Choice label vehicles at participating Greater Los Angeles New Car Dealers.
-#-
AQMD Home Page
This page updated: March 01, 2004
URL: http://www.aqmd.gov/news1/Clean_Air_Choice.htm