SACRAMENTO – “The Clean Car Discount Act of 2007” (AB 493) introduced by Assemblymember Ira Ruskin (D-Redwood City) passed the Assembly Transportation Committee today.  The vote was 8 to 5.  This program is a market-based solution that will provide one-time rebates on purchases of new vehicles that are cleaner. 

“Today, an important step was taken in the fight against global warming.  This bill will reduce the greenhouse gas emissions from California.  The Transportation Committee supported this commitment to continue to make California a leader on the issue of global warming,” Ruskin stated.

This program creates a spectrum for cars and light trucks, from clean to dirty, and gives people an incentive to purchase cleaner vehicles.  It will have compounding benefits: incentives to consumers will increase demand for low polluting cars; which, in turn, will spur manufacturers to produce more of them.

“The automakers have the technology—indeed are using it in some cars today—to make nearly every car and truck they produce eligible for a rebate,” said Dan Kalb, Policy Director for the Union of Concerned Scientists. “This legislation provides the catalyst they need to make clean cars that everyone can afford.”

Over the years, the automobile industry has repeatedly resisted safety measures and pollution reductions that consumers want—including seat belts, airbags and emissions controls.  Nevertheless, this year, consumer groups have joined public health advocates and environmentalists in support of the Clean Car Discount program, citing preservation of consumer choice as a top reason.

The Clean Car Discount program is designed to ensure choice by providing that some vehicles of every type will be unaffected or receive a rebate.  Over 40 percent of the 1.7 million new vehicles purchased in California each year will be eligible for a rebate, and another 20 percent will not be affected at all.  Given the breadth of choice, the Clean Car Discount program will help make cleaner vehicles more affordable for every California family.

Likely voters in California favor a program like AB 493 by a margin of 2-1, according to a poll by Fairbanks, Maslin, Maullin & Associates. 

“Global warming is an issue of paramount concern.  Consumers are demanding that automakers provide cleaner car choices, and they see the Clean Car Discount as an effective market-based way to make that happen,” Ruskin concluded.