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Letter: Utah should adopt Zero Emission Vehicle program

FILE - In this May 1, 2013, file photo, an All Electric Bus, a Zero-Emissions Vehicle, produced by China's BYD Co., is parked at the announcement of the opening of an electric bus manufacturing plant in Lancaster, Calif. The California Air Resources Board voted Friday, Dec. 14, 2018, to require that all new buses be carbon-free by 2029. Environmental advocates project that the last dirty buses will phase out by 2040. (AP Photo/Reed Saxon, File)

Despite the fact that air pollution is a major environmental risk to health, it is curious that Utah doesn’t seem to care about that as much as it does about smoking. If it did, the governor and Legislature would have adopted California's Zero Emission Vehicle program, as have 10 other states.

If we believe the statistic that cars are a major cause of air pollution, then that puts us, the consumer, in a position of leverage. I can't drive to work and back without seeing all-electric vehicles or hybrids on the road. Plug-in hybrids that are now starting to be available have a limited all-electric range that is enough to get most to work and back on a single charge.

Scientists have found that battery electric cars generate half the emissions of the average comparable gasoline car, even when pollution from battery manufacturing is accounted for. They are also much quieter.

Let’s pressure our leaders to adopt California’s ZEV program. Those buying a new car now have options that will make a real difference to our air quality. As consumers, we have the power to effect change — from both manufacturers and our leaders.

Scot Morgan, Salt Lake City

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