The campaign vision is to promote a transformation of the motor vehicle industry in which future products are many times greener than today's in their production, use, and end-of-life. To reach campaign goals, many collaborators from different environmental groups challenge automakers to produce vehicles that meet strong green standards (fuel efficiency, tail-pipe emission, and clean production and manufacturing) and encourage consumers to buy green. A successful campaign approach promotes a combination of industry initiatives, market mechanisms and government policies. The pledge campaign includes consumer awareness and action, Web-based actions and postcards, and regular updates and action opportunities.

The Clean Car Campaign’s policies regarding clean manufacturing and production include: best technology painting standards, material phase-outs (mercury, lead, PVC, other PBTs), recyclability targets, and product take-back. EPR policies help to correct market failures, to promote greener designs by manufacturers, and that they are more effective than waste control.

But remember, green cars cannot solve many problems that automobiles create.