The California Natural Gas Vehicle Education Campaign kicked off last week to increase awareness about the benefits of natural gas vehicles (NGVs). The campaign, comprised of public and private organizations from around the state, met in Los Angeles last Wednesday.
The campaign announces its formation as Ford Motor Company quietly plans to halt production of NGVs in the United States while expanding in Europe -- and as California continues its search for safe and affordable ways to reduce automobile emissions.
Natural gas is the cleanest burning alternative transportation fuel available today, and NGVs have been certified as meeting some of the nation's most demanding environmental standards.
"Ford's decision to expand its natural gas vehicle market in Europe, while Americans are stuck with the bill for skyrocketing gasoline prices, has moved us as a group of statewide organizations to raise our voice and the profile of this very important issue," said Mike Eaves, president of the California Natural Gas Vehicle Coalition.
Ford's planned abandonment of the NGV market is a particularly serious blow to California's efforts to improve its air quality. In June, the California Air Resources Board released draft regulations calling on auto manufacturers to produce vehicles that emit 30 percent less greenhouse gas emissions over the next 10 years.
NGVs already emit 30 percent less greenhouse gas emissions than current gasoline vehicles, and are being used by cities and consumers across the state.
"This is precisely the time at which we should be expanding production of environmentally-friendly vehicles," said Andrew Littlefair of Clean Energy. "If Ford was truly committed to being a 'green company,' it would not deny American consumers access to natural gas vehicles. It's time for Ford to do the right thing and make a long-term commitment to NGV production in the United States."
The campaign members, who are seeking additional participants, believe that reduced emissions and a more diverse energy supply are in the best interest of consumers. Significant fuel cost savings have been realized by those who have switched from gasoline vehicles to NGVs. Campaign members want to continue moving forward with broader and more rapid introduction of these clean vehicles.
"We live in a country addicted to gasoline and this dependency is bad for health," said Andrew Weisser of the American Lung Association of California. "Fortunately, there are cleaner transportation options that include natural gas, electric, hybrid-electric and fuel cell vehicles. Natural gas vehicles are already developed, on the road and pollute much less than gasoline and diesel-powered vehicles."
