Southern Governors Endorse 'EcoDrivingUSA(TM)'

Growing Support for National Fuel Use and CO2 Reduction Program

WILLIAMSBURG, Va., Aug. 23 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The EcoDriving movement continues to grow. And to mark its one-year anniversary ten new governors have announced support for this national initiative to promote green driving. Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger (R-CA), Governor Bill Ritter (D-CO), the Environmental Defense Fund and the Auto Alliance launched the EcoDrivingUSA program at a news conference a year ago, in August 2008.

"EcoDriving was introduced to empower consumers to take green driving into their own hands by adjusting their driving and vehicle maintenance habits," said Dave McCurdy, president and CEO of the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers. "The educational program offers Americans a simple way to be more fuel efficient, and save at the pump.

Dave McCurdy joined members of the Southern Governors Association to announce the latest states to join the EcoDriving movement. They include Governors Bob Riley (R- AL), Haley Barbour (R-MS), Jay Nixon (D-MO), Martin O'Malley (D - MD), Bev Perdue (D-NC), Luis Fortuno (R - PR), Mark Sanford (R- SC), John De-Jongh (D - USVI), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Joe Manchin (D-WV).

They now join governors Sonny Perdue (R-GA), C.L. "Butch" Otter (R-ID), Steve Beshear (D- KY), Jennifer M. Granholm (D-MI), Brad Henry (D-OK), and Jon Huntsman (R-UT) along with Governors Schwarzenegger and Ritter, in their support for EcoDriving.

"The endorsement of EcoDriving by these governors shows that EcoDriving stretches beyond state and party lines," said McCurdy. "Their support for the program will go a long way in engaging the citizens of these states to become green drivers. Their leadership and commitment is part of the comprehensive solution to enhance energy security and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. We can all have a role in this effort."

By supporting EcoDriving, the governors are helping to raise awareness of how subtle and easy-to-use driving and vehicle maintenance best practices can improve mileage by an average of 15 percent.

The Auto Alliance and its 11 global automakers are helping educate consumers on the benefits through a website, communications at auto shows and advertisements.

EcoDriving produces the highest mileage from every single vehicle, regardless of vehicle size and age, so it offers an unmatched reach in addressing energy and climate issues by potentially affecting the nation's entire fleet of 245 million automobiles. The program's benefits are potentially huge:

  --  If just half of all drivers nationwide practiced moderate levels of
      EcoDriving, annual carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions could be reduced by
      about 100 million tons, or the equivalent of heating and powering 8.5
      million households.

  --  If all Americans practiced EcoDriving, it would be equal to 450
      billion miles traveled on our roadways without generating any CO2
      emissions. That's 1,500 CO2-free miles for every man, woman and child
      in the United States each year.

"In these tough economic times, everyone wants to save more as well as help reduce their impact on the environment," McCurdy said. "EcoDriving is the perfect program since it helps drivers by allowing them to make their current vehicle more fuel-efficient while also reducing fuel costs and CO2 emissions."

For more information on EcoDriving or to become an EcoDriver, please visit the interactive Web site, www.EcoDrivingUSA.com, which helps drivers learn practical tips for improving their mileage and reducing their carbon footprint. The site includes a video guide to EcoDriving, an "EcoCalculator" to determine benefits for individuals or states, a Virtual Road Test, and a variety of educational tools.

The Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers is a trade association of 11 car and light truck manufacturers including BMW Group, Chrysler, Ford Motor Company, General Motors, Jaguar Land Rover, Mazda, Mercedes-Benz, Mitsubishi Motors, Porsche, Toyota and Volkswagen. For more information, visit the Alliance Web site at www.autoalliance.org.