That Toyota Prius you passed on I-85, I-40 or I-95 the other day isn’t just getting better gas mileage. A new Environment North Carolina report suggests it could also be a big part of the solution to global warming.

The study notes that cars, minivans, pickups and SUVs account for a major share of the nation’s global warming pollution, including one quarter of North Carolina’s carbon dioxide emissions. Yet automakers have been reluctant to employ existing clean-car technology and make vehicles that emit much less pollution than most current models.

“That’s where the clean car laws passed in 10 other states enter the picture,” said Elizabeth Ouzts, director of Environment North Carolina.

Other states are seeing more clean cars
Under clean car laws already adopted in other states, automakers are required to meet sales targets for vehicles that use clean technologies, including gas-electric hybrids sold by Toyota, Ford, Honda and other automakers. The laws also require all new cars to meet tougher emissions standards.

“Here in North Carolina, dealers have fewer of these clean cars on the lot, customers face longer waits, and in the meantime, all of us are missing out on significant benefits for our health and environment,” said Ouzts.

However, state lawmakers have an opportunity to remedy this problem when they meet this summer. Environment North Carolina is urging lawmakers to support the Clean Cars Act (H-1460 and S-1006) during the legislative short session. The bill is sponsored by Reps. Alexander, Carney, Hackney and Harrison, and Sens. Clodfelter and Nesbitt.

A real dent in global warming emissions
Environment North Carolina’s research shows that implementing the act will lead to light-duty carbon dioxide emissions reductions of about 800,000 tons by 2020.

Of course, we need even more reductions of carbon dioxide in the next 50 years to reverse the trend in global warming. That’s why the “technology-forcing” feature of the Clean Cars Act is crucial. Clean cars policies would pave the way for the widespread introduction of clean vehicles, such as hybrid-electric and fuel-cell vehicles, and vehicles with innovative technologies that include direct-injection engines, advanced transmissions and improved air conditioning systems.

This new fleet of cars and trucks could result in dramatic, long-term reductions in global warming pollution. More importantly, passage of the bill would represent an important precedent for taking action in the Southeast on global warming.