What is the Clean Car Law?
Starting with 2009 models, new vehicles must meet
strict clean air standards to be registered, leased, rented, licensed,
or sold for use in Washington. This includes cars, light duty trucks,
and passenger vehicles (SUVs and passenger vans).
New vehicles that do not meet clean car standards
cannot be registered, licensed, rented, or sold for use in Washington.
What does this mean to me?
The new law means that some new car models will
not be legal for use in our state.
It also means that, if you buy a car out of state
that does not meet Washington’s clean air standards, you will
not be able to register, license, rent, or sell it for use in Washington.
What do I have to do differently?
If you buy a car in Washington, you don't have
to take any action, other than to be informed about these changes.
Auto makers must deliver vehicles to Washington that meet clean
car standards. Auto dealers may only sell, rent, or lease vehicles
for use in Washington that meet these standards.
If you buy a car out of state and want to bring
it into Washington, you need to make sure it meets Washington’s
standards.
What if I buy a vehicle out of state?
It is YOUR responsibility to make sure your new
car meets Washington’s standards, no matter where you buy
it!
At least 12 other states, including Oregon and
California, have the same clean car laws as Washington. If you buy
a new 2009 model car in those states, it should meet Washington’s
standards.
However, if you buy a car in another state that
uses the federal emission standards, you will not be able to register,
license, rent, or sell it for use in Washington.
Why do we have this law?
The Washington State Legislature passed this law
to reduce air pollution and greenhouse gases from cars and trucks.
Why is this important?
Motor vehicles cause most of the air pollution
in Washington. Air pollution causes health problems and contributes
to climate change.
Health problems: Air pollution causes cancer, asthma
and other illnesses. More than half of Washington's residents have
at least one medical condition that is made worse by air pollution.
Besides causing health effects, air pollution hurts
our economy. Deaths and illnesses from air pollution cost Washington
at least $500 million each year.
Climate change: Motor vehicles and other types
of transportation also cause more than half of the greenhouse gas
emissions in our state. Greenhouse gases cause climate change. Effects
of climate change in Washington include reduced snow pack, low summer
stream flows, more winter flooding, increased coastal erosion, less
water for people and agriculture, and further loss of salmon habitat.
When do new cars
have to start meeting the new clean car standards?
It starts with 2009 model year vehicles. Any 2009
or newer vehicle must meet clean car standards.
Will it be harder
to find the car I want now?
You may not be able to find certain models. But
because California, Oregon, and many other states have similar laws,
most auto makers are making cars that meet clean car standards.
Which cars are available?
Most models will still be available. See a list
of the clean cars you can buy.
Are we the only state doing this?
No! California, Oregon, and a growing number of
other states also have clean car standards.
Which cars are the cleanest?
The amount of pollution a car puts into the air
depends mainly on which emission standards it meets. (See “What
are emission standards?” below.) It can also be affected by
how you drive and maintain the car, how much fuel the car uses,
and the kind of fuel used.
Passenger cars must meet certain fuel mileage standards.
Generally, the better the fuel mileage, the “cleaner”
the car. For example, smaller cars typically get the best fuel mileage,
which also means they pollute less.
Light trucks – which include vans, small
pickup trucks, and sport utility vehicles (SUVs) -- are allowed
to get lower fuel mileage than passenger cars. As a result, the
average light truck pollutes more than the average car.
Some of the heaviest light trucks, such as large
SUVs, do not have to meet any mileage standards. They are among
the most polluting vehicles.
What are emission standards?
Emission standards limit the amount of pollution
coming from a vehicle. All new vehicles for sale in the United States
meet either federal emission standards (set by the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency), or California standards (set by the California
Air Resources Board). The California standards are stricter than
the federal standards.
What are Washington’s emission
standards?
Washington recently adopted the California standards,
which are stricter than the federal standards. Starting with 2009
models, new vehicles must meet these strict clean air standards
to be registered, leased, rented, licensed, or sold for use n Washington.
How can I find a clean car to buy?
You’re in luck – the state of Washington
has made it very easy for you to find the cleanest cars available.
Starting with 2009 models, only cars that meet the strict clean
car standards can be leased, rented, licensed, or sold for use in
Washington.
TIPS TO HELP YOU DRIVE "CLEANER"
-
Keep your car well maintained. A poorly
maintained engine both creates more air pollution and
uses more fuel. Replace oil and air filters regularly,
and keep your tires properly inflated.
-
Drive less. In these days of high
gas prices, carpooling, walking, bicycling, riding the
bus, or working from home can save you money as well as
reducing air pollution.
-
Don’t idle your vehicle. If
you stop for more than 30 seconds, except in traffic,
turn off your engine. Idling for a total of 10 minutes
a day uses an average of about 22 gallons of gas per year,
as well as polluting the air.
-
By turning your car’s engine
off when it isn’t moving, you’ll save money
on gas and you and others around you, including children
and people with respiratory problems, won't have to breathe
unhealthy exhaust fumes.
-
Don’t buy more car than you
need. Four-wheel drive, all-wheel drive, engine size,
vehicle weight, and tire size all affect the amount of
fuel your vehicle uses. The more fuel it uses, the more
air pollution it causes.
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