Buying Guide to Cleaner Cars

Cleaner Cars Mean Cleaner Air, Less Global Warming Pollution and Less Dependence on Foreign Oil

Even a small change in how much you drive, the vehicle you drive, or the fuel you use can make a big difference to Maine’s air quality, global warming pollution, your health, your pocketbook and national energy independence.

Sometimes you can walk, ride your bike, carpool or take a bus or train to get where you want to go, and that’s the best way to go.

But, when you need to drive, you can also choose a cleaner car. Cleaner cars (see list below) can be fueled by gasoline, natural gas, propane, bio-diesel, ultra low sulphur diesel, or electric batteries. Hybrid cars use both gasoline and electric engines.

Cleaner cars emit far less air and global warming pollution than standard ones and use a lot less fuel, with many models achieving between 30-50 mpg.

Cleaner Cars for Maine Sticker Program

The Cleaner Cars for Maine Sticker Program is a labeling program that helps car buyers to find the cleanest and most fuel efficient vehicles available.

Almost every carmaker has some models that qualify. The Maine Department of Environmental Protection, the Maine Auto Dealers Association and the Natural Resources Council of Maine developed this first-in-the-nation program in 1999.

To qualify for the program, a vehicle must be a certified “Low Emission Vehicle” (CALEV or better) that gets at least 30 miles per gallon.

Beginning in 2009, about 11 percent of new cars sold in Maine will be either hybrid gas- electric or new clean-burning gasoline-powered cars as a result of new legislation supported by NRCM that was signed into law by Governor Baldacci in 2005.

Qualifying Cars for the Cleaner Cars for Maine Sticker Program:

For a complete list of all cars that quality for the Cleaner Cars Sticker Program go to: http://www.maine.gov/dep/air/mobile/2005cleancars.htm - Model Year 2005 http://www.maine.gov/dep/air/mobile/2004cleancars.htm - Model Year 2004

http://www.maine.gov/dep/air/mobile/fuelg.htm - Model Year 2003

For a list of super clean conventional vehicles including prices & photos for Model Year 2005 go to: http://www.nrcm.org/energy/cleancarlaw/PZEVs.htm

Most Popular Cleaner Cars and Hybrid Models in Maine in 2005

Ford Focus Toyota Camry

Honda Civic Toyota Prius Hybrid Hybrid

Nissan Altima Honda Accord

More 2005 Cleaner Car and Hybrid Models:

• BMW 330ci, 330i, 530i • Pontiac Vibe • Ford Escape HEV • Subaru Legacy Wagon • Honda Accord Hybrid • Toyota Corolla • Honda Civic • Toyota Matrix • Honda Insight Hybrid • Toyota Solara • Hyundai Elantra • Volkswagen Beetle • Kia Spectra • Volkswagen Jetta • Mazda 3 • , S60, S80 • Mitsubishi Galant • Volvo V50, V70 • Nissan Sentra