Ford Quietly Ends Natural Gas Vehicle Production in the U.S. While Touting Its
Goals to Meet EPA Standards
SACRAMENTO, Calif., July 22 /PRNewswire/ -- The California Natural Gas
Vehicle Coalition (CNGVC) continues to question Ford Motor Company's decision
to end production of natural gas vehicles (NGVs) while today the company
touted its plans to meet emissions standards.
In a press release issued by Ford, the company today announced that more
than half of its 2005 model year "light" vehicles will meet the Environmental
Protection Agency's new Tier 2 Bin 5 emissions standard.
Ford's announcement left Mike Eaves, president of the CNGVC, again asking
how the company could claim to be so committed to environmental guidelines and
protection while deciding to abandon a proven alternative -- NGVs -- many of
which already meet the more strict emissions standards such as the Super Ultra
Low-Emission Vehicle (SULEV) standard set by the State of California or the
Tier-2 Bin 2 standard set by the Environmental Protection Agency.
"According to its release, none of Ford's 2005 model cars meet the Tier-2
Bin 2 standard or the equivalent SULEV standard. However, most of the NGV
models Ford has discontinued -- such as the F-150 CNG Pickup and the Econoline
Van -- already meet the SULEV standard," noted Eaves.
"It is quite disingenuous of Ford to try to reclaim the mantle of
environmental leadership when its new 2005 models do not meet the most
stringent emissions guidelines," said Eaves. "With more and more Americans
suffering from respiratory ailments caused by automotive emissions, now is not
the time to take a step back in our efforts to build the cleanest vehicles
possible."
Once one of the largest producers of NGVs, Ford recently announced that it
would stop producing the vehicles. This decision took many by surprise --
including the state and local entities to which Ford had sold products as well
as many public-private partnerships.
"In the past, Ford used its production of NGVs to demonstrate its
commitment to a cleaner environment," said Eaves. "Now they have walked away
from that commitment, leaving many programs and people stranded, and they
didn't even consult with them. They want to tout their 2005 vehicle emissions
and claim that they are for the environment. If that's true, then why abandon
the NGVs, the taxpayers and others who invested in it?"
Ford worked with state and local public entities and government entities
to sell the NGV product, build natural gas fueling stations, and create
incentive programs for NGV purchases. Through these projects, the company
also received a variety of subsidies and incentives from government entities
at the local, state and federal levels.
"In an interesting twist, Ford has decided to release its second
generation NGV in Europe in the 2006 model year," added Eaves. "So they are
denying Americans access to NGV technology while giving Europe the opportunity
to build -- and benefit from -- advanced natural gas vehicles. It just
doesn't make sense and we'd like them to explain why."
About Natural Gas Vehicles and The California Natural Gas Vehicle
Coalition
Natural gas is the cleanest burning alternative transportation fuel
available today, and natural gas vehicles (NGVs) have been certified as
meeting some of the nation's most demanding environmental standards.
NGVs look like any other vehicle and they operate on natural gas as
opposed to traditional gasoline. They also reduce emissions of carbon
dioxide, the principal "greenhouse" gas that contributes to global warming.
Therefore, NGVs are an existing solution to high fuel prices, unstable energy
supplies and air pollution.
There are almost 130,000 NGVs on U.S. roads today and more than 2 million
are in use worldwide. There are more than 20,000 NGVs in use in California,
most of them serving the public in transit, refuse, school bus, shuttle, taxi,
municipal, and utility fleets. 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.
CONTACT: Katie Romans
916.930.3134
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SOURCE California Natural Gas Vehicle Coalition
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CONTACT:
Katie Romans, +1-916-930-3134, for California
Natural Gas Vehicle Coalition
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