The high level of air-polluting emissions in the United States clearly warrants the automakers' introduction of the cleaner-running vehicles. U.S. cars and trucks currently contribute about 30 percent of the country's greenhouse gas emissions. That amount is about 7 percent of worldwide emissions - and more than those from all fossil fuels burned for all purposes in countries like Japan or Mexico. A recent study found that automobiles account for nearly half of total air-pollution in many American cities. As the number of cars in the nation will likely double during the next 25 years, the agreement will likely improve the country's environmental forecast.
The new plan also proves efficient in its consistency. Currently, each state has the power to determine how strict or lax to set emissions standards. Without the blanket terms provided by the car companies' National Low Emission Vehicle standards - the agreed-upon template for the new vehicles - automakers would have to design vehicles on a state-by-state basis, limiting their ability to offer low prices. By swiftly enacting the NLEV guidelines, the Big Three will likely convince all states to adopt uniform standards. Backed by President Bill Clinton's commitment to preserving clean air and reducing auto pollution in his State of the Union address, the Environmental Protection Agency also championed the standards and will aid the automakers in pushing all states to agree to the standards of the NLEV.
The Big Three's decision to draft the NLEV will not only affect American-manufactured vehicles. The stricter regulations will also pressure Asian and European competitors to draft similar standards to remain competitive in the American auto market. While some Japanese car makers have tentatively agreed to introduce cleaner-running cars to the United States in some 1999 models, regardless of American car makers' actions, the Big Three's new plan will solidify foreign commitment to producing cleaner cars for the U.S. market. In addition, the NLEV will challenge foreign car makers to adopt even more stringent standards.
The Big Three's stricter emissions guidelines could yield cleaner air and aid America's public health. A few states have been reluctant to accept the new cars due to a desire for even stricter guidelines. But if each state has its own standards, the cost of implementing different emissions systems could prevent immediate introduction of the cleaner cars. All states should agree to adopt the standards to make cleaner air an immediate reality - further strengthening of environmental standards will likely follow.