SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) — There’s a small share of California drivers who put a whole lot of miles on their old, highly-polluting, gas-guzzling cars. Many of those gasoline “superusers” are low-income and may’t afford to purchase a low-emission car, state political leaders stated.
A brand new bill launched by Assemblymember Phil Ting (D- San Francisco) would help these drivers with increased rebates for switching to environmentally-friendly cars. The bill, AB 2401, would “incentivize their transition to zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs)” and “could be pivotal in helping the state cut its greenhouse gas emissions,” Ting’s workplace wrote.
The bill modernizes California’s Clean Cars 4 All (CC4A) program by making increased rebates out there particularly to decrease revenue, high-mileage drivers with older, high-polluting automobiles.
Ting stated, “Clean car rebates have previously gone to drivers who typically don’t need the financial help. It’s time to focus on working families who cannot afford to make the switch. This will bring fairness and equity to the program, while also accelerating the environmental benefits for the state.”
Vehicles cross the Golden Gate Bridge on September 4, 2023 in San Francisco. (Photo by Liu Guanguan /China News Service /VCG by way of Getty Images)
The Greenlining Institute and the Union of Concerned Scientists launched analysis that signifies older cars, constructed earlier than 2004, make up lower than 20% of cars, SUVs, and pickups in California, however are accountable for over 70% of the smog-forming nitrogen oxides air pollution from passenger automobiles.
“Now is time for the program to prioritize working class communities of color that face the highest barriers to switching to zero-emissions vehicles and endure the worst consequences of vehicle pollution,” stated Alvaro Sanchez of The Greenlining Institute.
Hearings on AB 2401 are anticipated to start this spring.
https://www.kron4.com/information/bay-area/new-california-bill-would-help-gasoline-superusers-ditch-old-cars/