Click on a choice:

  Energy Pollution

  Dirty Cars

  California Leading

  Car Makers

  What Can I Do?

  New, Cleaner Cars

  Clean Energy Sources

  Polluting Energy Sources

ight now, there is an alarming trend toward buying fuel-hungry cars, especially larger sports utility vehicles, minivans, and pickup trucks. Half of these vehicles get less than 20 mpg and the rest are in the low 20s, putting fuel efficiency and pollution reduction at a standstill. The EPA projects that light trucks, vans, minivans, and sports utility vehicles will account for 34% of the air pollution increases in the next decade. In fact, compared with the largest car, these vehicles emit 75% more nitrogen oxides to pollute our air. The more fossil fuel is burned for every mile driven, the more pollution spews out of the tailpipe. And, because we are also driving more and more miles each year, the tailpipe pollution really adds up.

The growing popularity of sport utility vehicles and trucks is seriously undermining our goal to breathe cleaner, healthier air. California is asking automakers to equip these heavier, less fuel efficient vehicles with more advanced pollution control systems.

As in the past, when California stood up for clean air, industry responded with positive solutions that helped reduce air pollution and lower the hidden health costs of air pollution from cars and trucks. In the future, automakers will manufacture new versions of these heavy vehicles that will pollute 40% less than current models without adding to the price.

We can choose to buy vehicles that are fuel efficient and low polluting. Our health depends on it.

Next - New, Cleaner Cars...

© 2006 SJVAPCD. All Rights Reserved.