2010.01.21 ENE Applauds Rhode Island for Setting Electric Vehicle Goals Press
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ENE Applauds Initiative Setting Goals to Bring Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles to the Ocean State
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: January 21, 2010
Contact:
Abigail Anthony, Policy Analyst, (401) 276-0600 or (401) 474-8876 (c) aanthony@env-ne.org
Michael Stoddard, Transportation Policy Director, (207) 761-4566 or (207) 712-2577 (c)
Providence, RI- A coalition of electric car advocates in Rhode Island announced today that they will join Project Get Ready, a national, non-profit initiative designed to help communities prepare for the introduction of plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs). The national Project Get Ready program, established by the Rocky Mountain Institute, counts Indianapolis, Raleigh, Denver, Houston, Portland, OR, and Toronto among its existing participants. Rhode Island becomes the first Project Get Ready state and the first community in New England to pioneer the adoption of efficient, low-carbon vehicles. Project Get Ready's goal is to have 10,000 PHEVs on Rhode Island roads by 2015.
"The technology needed to build plug-ins exists today, but it will take a coherent strategy and concerted action in order to take full advantage of the potential of plug-in vehicles," said ENE Executive Director Dan Sosland.
Project Get Ready is working with many partners and stakeholders in Rhode Island, including ENE, to research and develop such a strategy and put it in motion.
"The switch to cleaner fuels for our cars and trucks will help clean our air and reduce global warming pollution while creating new opportunities to increase the reliability of our fuel supplies and promote energy independence. ENE applauds Rhode Island's leadership commitment on this important initiative," said Sosland.
"ENE is excited about a transportation system that includes electric vehicles," said ENE Policy Analyst Abigail Anthony, who is based in Rhode Island. "The switch to electricity will produce significant reductions in carbon emissions from our cars and trucks and reduce our reliance on imported fossil fuels."
ENE's analysis shows that a plug-in like the Chevy Volt or an all-electric vehicle like the Nissan Leaf will emit 64 percent and 70 percent less carbon dioxide than a similarly sized Honda Civic or Ford Focus, respectively, even after accounting for the carbon emissions of the electric power plants used to recharge the batteries.
The widespread adoption of plug-in hybrids will avoid 500 gallons of gas per year for the average customer, saving about $1,500 in annual operating costs.
"Joining Project Get Ready will help Rhode Island prepare for plug-in hybrid electric vehicles and transition the state to a cleaner, more sustainable transportation future," said Dr. Anthony. "ENE looks forward to working with other stakeholders to help the state meet its goal of having 10,000 PHEVs on the road by the middle of this decade."
More information on Electric Vehicles at ENE's Web site:
http://www.env-ne.org/projects/open/p/id/978/program/Transportation
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ENE (Environment Northeast) is a non-profit organization that researches and advocates innovative policies that tackle our environmental challenges while promoting sustainable economies. ENE is at the forefront of state and regional efforts to combat global warming with solutions that promote clean energy, clean air and healthy forests.
ENE / 203 S. Main Street / Providence, RI / (401) 276-0600/ www.env-ne.org
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