Washington, D.C. - Today, Rep. Howard Berman voted in favor of a “cash for clunkers” program that will allow consumers to trade in their old, gas-guzzling cars for vouchers worth up to $4,500 to help pay for new, more fuel-efficient vehicles. The Consumer Assistance to Recycle and Save Act will spur the sale of up to one million more fuel-efficient cars and trucks, while stimulating the ailing auto industry and reducing our dependence on foreign oil.

This program will help grow our clean energy economy, cut down on pollution, and save money at the pump as we reduce consumption by over 250 million gallons of gas. It will enable Americans to return to work and spur the purchase of cleaner, more environmentally-friendly cars.

The legislation provides rebates for cars and trucks in the following four categories:

• Passenger Cars: The old vehicle must get 18 mpg or less. New vehicles with improvement of at least 4 mpg will get a $3,500 voucher. New vehicles with improvement of at least 10 mpg will get a $4,500 voucher.
  
  
• Light-Duty Trucks: The old vehicle must get 18 mpg or less. New vehicles with improvement of at least 2 mpg will get a $3,500 voucher. New vehicles with improvement of at least 5 mpg will get a $4,500 voucher.
  
  
• Large light-Duty Trucks: The old vehicle must get 15 mpg or less. New vehicles with improvement of at least 1 mpg will get a $3,500 voucher or trade-in of a “work truck.” New vehicles with improvement of at least 2 mpg will get a $4,500 voucher.
  
  
• Work Trucks: The old vehicle must be a pre-2002 model. New vehicles in the same or smaller weight class will get a $3,500 voucher.
   

The bipartisan legislation is supported by a broad coalition that includes the AFL-CIO, UAW, car dealers, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the National Association of Manufacturers.

This bill is represents a win for the consumer, the economy, the environment, and the auto industry. It will save American consumers money, save American jobs, help our struggling auto dealers, and place us further down the path towards a cleaner, greener economy.