Clean Car Campaign

clean car standard | coordinating organizations | organizational allies

About the Campaign

The Clean Car Campaign is a national campaign coordinated by state, regional and national environmental organizations promoting a clean revolution in the motor vehicle industry. In particular, the campaign seeks to promote the development and sale of advanced technology vehicles that meet a high standard of environmental performance.

A key component of the campaign is to encourage the purchase of cleaner vehicles by consumers and fleet buyers. The campaign's "Clean Car Pledge" involves the collection of pledges from thousands of potential consumers indicating their interest in purchasing vehicles meeting the campaign's Clean Car Standard. These pledges will be used to demonstrate public support for cleaner vehicle choices. The campaign will also serve as an advocate for public policies to motivate automakers to invest in cleaner vehicle designs and manufacturing practices, including incentives that encourage consumers to "buy green."

Clean Car Standard

The Clean Car Standard was developed by the campaign as a practical, short-term performance-based standard achievable by automakers. The standard promotes increased fuel efficiency, reduced tailpipe emissions and clean production practices. Meeting this standard compliments other important values of practicality, affordability and safety.

Fuel Efficiency and Reduced Auto Emissions. The standard calls for fuel efficiency of at least 50% better than that achieved by other vehicles in a vehicle class and tailpipe emissions which meet California's "super ultra low emitting vehicle" (SULEV) standard. These targets can be achieved through a combination of innovative technologies such as hybrid gasoline-electric powertrains, durable lightweight materials and advanced emission controls and fuels.
Clean Manufacturing and Recycling. The standard also calls for best-in-class painting/coating practices, the elimination of heavy metals and other substances of concern, and design for recyclability and maximum use of recycled materials. These targets can be achieved through changes in design, use of nontoxic recyclable materials, and best-in-class manufacturing techniques.

Coordinating Organizations

The Clean Car Campaign is coordinated by a unique coalition of national, state and regional organizations, including: American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy, Ecology Center, Environmental Defense, Great Lakes United, Michigan Environmental Council and Union of Concerned Scientists. For more information about these groups, visit the list of Coordinating Organizations.

The Clean Car Campaign website is produced and maintained by the Ecology Center, on behalf of the clean car coalition. To contact the webmaster for the site, send an email to info@cleancarcampaign.org.

Organizational Allies

The Clean Car Campaign is also composed of Organizational Allies who have endorsed the Clean Car Standard and help to collect pledges for the Clean Car Pledge. For information on how to join the Clean Car Campaign as an organizational ally, see Get Involved.