Plug-In Hybrid Race Heats Up
For Immediate Release
For more information contact:
Danielle Fugere, 415-577-5594
Race to Get Plug-In Hybrids to Market Heats Up with Ford and Southern California Edison Partnership
Friends of the Earth welcomes Ford’s interest in plug-in hybrids, encourages automaker to do more than put just 20 cars on the road by 2009
WASHINGTON — In response to the Ford-Southern California Edison announcement today that the two companies will collaborate on a test project involving plug-in hybrid vehicles, Friends of the Earth Regional Policy Director Danielle Fugere, who directs the organization’s plug-in hybrid campaign, released the following statement:
“Today’s announcement is another signal that the race is on to bring plug-in hybrid vehicles to market. Ford joins Toyota and General Motors in recognizing the potential of this highly fuel-efficient car. We welcome Ford’s pursuit of this technology — and Southern California Edison’s interest in determining how best to integrate such vehicles with existing power grids.
“Ford, a company that was previously dead last in fleet-wide fuel efficiency for all major automakers, appears to be turning a corner with this announcement. We applaud this new direction. That said, 20 test vehicles by 2009 is only a first step; we encourage Ford to act aggressively and quickly to make plug-in hybrids available to all consumers. We also hope that Ford’s new leadership, with its focus on innovation, will pull the automaker out of a lawsuit against California’s global warming law and end its opposition to strong federal fuel efficiency standards.
“Plug-in hybrids will help cut fuel use and reduce global warming pollution, especially in California, where our electricity is generated with nearly 20 percent renewable power. People are waiting to purchase cars that allow them to fuel up at home, avoid the gas station, and pay less than the equivalent of $1.00 per gallon. The demand exists for these vehicles, now it’s up to automakers like Ford to provide the supply.”
For more information about plug-in hybrid vehicles, visit Friends of the Earth’s Bluewater Network factsheet here: http://www.bluewaternetwork.org/campaign_gw_trans_plugin.shtml.
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