National LEV program launched in the US

12 February 1998

Today Vice President Gore launched a comprehensive new "cleaner car" program that will dramatically improve air quality and protect public health by making cleaner-burning cars available to American consumers starting later this year.

The Vice President was joined at the White House by US EPA Administrator Carol M. Browner, representatives of the northeastern states, Chrysler, Ford, General Motors and Toyota, as well as officials of 10 foreign automobile manufacturers to officially launch the National Low Emissions Vehicle program. Through this voluntary program between automakers and states, cars 70% cleaner than the law requires will be available in Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Virginia, and the District of Columbia in the 1999 model year, and elsewhere across the country by 2001. This "cleaner car" will bring cleaner air to the American people five years ahead of schedule.

Source: US EPA