When you buy a new car, look for the Granite State Clean Cars label (at right) to find cars that have higher fuel economy and lower emissions. You'll save money and protect your health and the environment!

What is the Granite State Clean Cars Program?

New Hampshire car dealers are voluntarily participating in a program to help car shoppers identify less polluting, more fuel-efficient new vehicles. Through the Granite State Clean Cars Program, participating dealers place a special label in the window of new vehicles that meet environmentally superior performance ratings. Over 20 car manufacturers now produce more than 280 different makes and models of new cars that qualify for a Granite State Clean Cars label. To qualify for the label, the vehicle must:

• Have a highway fuel economy rating of 30 miles per gallon or better.
• Have an emissions rating of one of the following: LEV (Low Emission Vehicle), ULEV (Ultra Low Emission Vehicle), SULEV (Super Ultra Low Emission Vehicle), or PZEV (Partial Zero Emission Vehicle).

The Granite State Clean Cars Program, which began in 2002, is a partnership between the New Hampshire Automobile Dealers Association (NHADA), the American Lung Association of New Hampshire (ALANH), the Appalachian Mountain Club (AMC), and the New Hampshire Departments of Environmental Services and Transportation (DES and DOT). The goal of the partnership is to inform the public about cleaner, more fuel efficient vehicles and make it easier for consumers to identify these vehicles at dealerships in New Hampshire.

Why are Granite State Clean Cars Better for the Environment?

Since the 1970s, the automobile industry has made great progress in reducing vehicle emissions. However, despite this, we face environmental and public health challenges as our demand for personal transportation continues to increase. In New Hampshire, cars and trucks are still a significant source of emissions that contribute to ozone pollution, air toxics and global warming. In addition, cars and trucks consume billions of gallons of gasoline every year. The oil used to produce this gasoline is a limited resource, and over half of it comes from foreign sources.

Fortunately, many new cars are available that get better fuel economy and have lower emissions. These vehicles are good for consumers and good for the environment. They:

• Save money - Consumers can save $300-$500 or more in fuel costs each year by choosing the most efficient vehicle in a particular class.
• Protect public health and the environment - Cleaner cars reduce smog-forming emissions and toxic air pollutants. They also reduce pollutants that contribute to global climate change and acid rain.
• Strengthen national energy security - Improved fuel economy helps to reduce our dependence on foreign oil and protect the U.S. economy. Half of the oil used to produce each gallon of gasoline is imported, at a cost of over $2 billion a week.
• Conserve resources for future generations - The U.S. uses about 20 million barrels of oil per day, two-thirds of which is used for transportation. At this rate, the world's remaining oil resources will be used up in 40 years.

If you are in the market for a new car, compare fuel economy and air pollution ratings of different makes and models before you buy a car. Find a participating dealer and ask about the program. Look for the "Clean Cars" label in the window of qualifying vehicles.

For more information on the program, or if you drive a qualifying vehicle and would like to request a label, contact Kathy Brockett at kbrockett@des.state.nh.us or 1-800-498-6868.

"Cleaner Cars for Cleaner Air"