With gas prices at well over $4 a gallon as the summer travel season looms, Illinois residents want cleaner, more fuel-efficient cars even if they cost more, according to a recent poll, but legislation that could make such vehicles available has stalled in the Illinois House.

In a recent statewide poll conducted May 22 by InTouch,* a remarkable 90% of people surveyed said they support legislation pending in Springfield that would require automakers to produce cars that would pollute less and use less gas. The results were virtually the same (89%) after respondents were told that meeting the clean car standards may cost about $1000 more for a typical car, but that consumers will recoup their added investment in gas savings in less than two years.

The poll came during the final days of the 2008 legislative session as legislators were hammering out the state’s budget and it was hoped that the Illinois House of Representatives would make a crucial vote on the Illinois Clean Cars Act (House Bill 3424). However, time ran out and the session ended before a vote could be taken on the bill, which is sponsored by Karen May (D-Highwood) and would require Illinois to adopt the Clean Car Standards already in effect in 14 other states.

These standards are significantly stricter than those of the federal government and include a landmark regulation of carbon dioxide, the greenhouse gas most responsible for global warming. When compared to the recently-revised federal Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) program, stronger efficiency standards that would take effect more quickly were supported by 85% of respondents.

The Clean Car Standards would be phased in over an eight-year period -- the average fuel economy for passenger cars will start at six miles more per gallon than under the new CAFE program and will increase to 9.5 miles per gallon more in the final year. Between now and 2020, global warming pollution would be reduced by around 40% more in Illinois under the Clean Car Standards than the new CAFE program, and by 2020, the Clean Car Standards would save Illinois drivers nearly $1.9 billion more in fuel costs. Moreover, by reducing demand for gasoline, the Clean Car Standards would help keep gas prices in check.

Despite the inaction on clean cars legislation this session, IEC will continue working on the issue through in-district meetings with legislators and outreach work with the Illinois Climate Action Network (Illinois CAN) at festivals and other summer events. If you’d like to volunteer to help with this campaign, contact cmaher@ilenviro.org or call 217-544-5954.

*InTouch conducted the poll of 1,798 Illinois residents on May 22, 2008. Its margin of error is +-2.31%. For complete poll results, visit www.ilcleancars.org.