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Mobile Sources > Clean Car Program
The Cleaner Cars for Maine Program is a consumer labeling program that enables individuals seeking to purchase an automobile to easily identify the cleanest and most fuel efficient vehicles on dealer lots. The Maine Department of Environmental Protection, the Maine Auto Dealers Association and the Natural Resources Council of Maine developed the Program in partnership. Maine's Program was the first in the nation when it began in November of 1999. Since its inception, New Hampshire established the Granite State Clean Cars Program modeled after Maine's Program. Why do we need Cleaner Cars for Maine Sticker program? Car and truck emissions are the largest contributor of air pollution generated in Maine. Driving a vehicle is the most polluting thing that we do on a daily basis. Car and truck emissions contribute to ozone pollution, toxic emissions and global warming which present a major threat to our public health and environment. This Program will allow consumers to make an informed decision regarding the cars they purchase. Auto-dealers are placing brightly-colored "Cleaner Cars for Maine" static labels on the most "environmentally-friendly" current model vehicles on their lots.
How does a vehicle qualify for the Cleaner Cars Program? To qualify for the program a vehicle must be a California Certified Low Emission Vehicle (LEV) or better that gets 30 miles per gallon or greater fuel efficiency. Other qualifying certifications are Ultra Low Emission Vehicle (ULEV), Super Ultra Low Emission Vehicle (SULEV) or a Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV). Why should I purchase a "Cleaner Car"? By reducing emissions from cars we are helping to improve air quality and improve the public health by reducing harmful toxics. You will also see savings at the fuel pump as better gas mileage means less fuel consumption. By purchasing a low emission, fuel-efficient vehicle we are "Doing Our Share For Clean Air". The chart below shows the percent of emission reductions from the various California vehicle certifications when compared to the Federal Tier One emission standards.
HC: Hydrocarbons; CO: Carbon Monoxide; NOx: Nitrogen Oxides To allow consumers to make an informed decision and to remove any confusion about what standard vehicles are certified to meet, below is a list of commonly used abbreviations on the 2003, 2004, and 2005 Clean Car List's.
Cleaner Cars List for 2005 Hybrid Vehicles: Included on the Clean Car Lists are an increasing number of "Hybrid" Vehicles. These vehicles are powered by gas and electricity and are the cleanest gasoline vehicles available.
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