Coalition Urges Ford to Rethink Decision to End NGV Production in the U.S., Utilize Natural Gas Technologies to Improve California's Air Quality

SACRAMENTO, Calif., June 15, 2004; The California Natural Gas Vehicle Coalition (CNGVC) sent a letter to Ford Motor Company Chairman and CEO William Clay Ford urging Ford to reconsider its decision to end production of natural gas vehicles (NGVs) at the end of 2004.

The Staff Report and proposed regulations released yesterday by the California Air Quality Resource Board's (CARB) call upon auto manufacturers to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from their vehicles by 30 percent over the next 10 years.

"Natural gas is the cleanest burning alternative transportation fuel available today, and NGVs meet the most demanding emissions standards, making them an ideal technology to help California meet the new CARB regulations," said Mike Eaves, president of the CNGVC. "In fact, NGVs reduce greenhouse emissions up to 30 percent over gasoline vehicles, exactly the amount of reduction called for by CARB," he said.

"Clean fuel alternatives must be developed and implemented with long-term interests of consumers, drivers and those who rely on natural gas vehicles in mind," said Eaves.

There are over 20,000 NGVs on the road in California, most of them serving the public in transit, refuse, school bus, shuttle, taxi, municipal and utility fleets. California has the largest integrated natural gas infrastructure in the U.S. As the natural gas infrastructure continues to expand, the individual consumer market will take on heightened importance for NGVs.

"The California Natural Gas Vehicle Coalition represents companies, organizations and individuals who are committed to expanding the use of this safe, affordable and environmentally-friendly technology," said Eaves. "Now, when the future of emissions standards is being crafted, we feel its essential to come forward and speak up."

Consumers benefit most from alternative fuel technologies that embrace affordability, reliability and compliance with current state regulations. Over the years, emissions standards have been moving away from structures that favor petroleum-based solutions, and consumers have reaped huge benefits. On average, NGV owners pay 15 to 20 percent less in fuel costs than owners of vehicles that are fueled by petroleum, a fuel typically favored by auto manufacturers reluctant to invest in new technologies.

While Ford Motor Company has reneged on its investment in NGV production in the U.S., the auto manufacturer has announced plans to release a second generation NGV -- the Ford Focus GNG II -- in Europe for the 2006 model year.