Lung Health News, Fall 2001 / Winter 2002
Zero Emission Vehicles (ZEVs)are a reality here in California thanks in part to the American Lung Association of California and several key environmental organizations. Recognizing a need to create a commercial market for ZEVs and near-zero emission vehicles, the Energy Foundation funded the American Lung Association of California to help secure purchase agreements for these vehicles. Through this funding, mini-grants were awarded to local American Lung Associations to encourage their local public agencies and private businesses to buy cleaner technology vehicles such as those powered by natural gas, electricity, fuel cells or hybrid vehicles that run on gas and electricity.
The American Lung Association of the East Bay has already started working with the cities of Oakland and Berkeley. The American Lung Association of Santa Clara-San Benito Counties is targeting high-tech firms. The American Lung Association of California, Redwood Empire Branch, and the American Lung Association of San Francisco &San Mateo Counties are focusing their efforts on forums to educate public and private fleet managers about cleaner-fueled vehicles and the financial incentives that are available.
The American Lung Association of California also helped secure $20 million in state funding for ZEV incentives. Ten million dollars will go to an incentive program aimed at individuals, while the other $10 million will be set aside to encourage public agencies or private companies in communities heavily impacted by air pollution to purchase cleaner-fueled vehicles for their fleets. For example, the postal service could use some of the funds to purchase additional electric mail trucks to operate in these already-impacted communities.
