WASHINGTON, DC – Growth Energy, the coalition of U.S. ethanol supporters, welcomed today’s announcement by Ford Motor Company that it will deliver on its 2006 pledge to double the number of 2010 model year flexible-fuel vehicles it produces in the U.S. Growth Energy strongly supports the expanded production and use of flex fuel vehicles that gives American consumers greater fuel choice – and urged automakers to do even more.
“If we are truly going to realize our nation’s energy independence goals, we need to ensure that our entire vehicle fleet and fuel infrastructure are ready to use expanded U.S. ethanol production,” said Tom Buis, Growth Energy CEO. “Each additional flex fuel vehicle model gives consumers the option of filling up with domestic, homegrown renewable fuel and enhances our national security, all while creating U.S. jobs and greening our environment. This is about choice at the pump, and an open market for transportation fuel. So while we commend Ford Motor Co. for the voluntary production of FFVs, we continue to urge Congress to pass legislation that will encourage all vehicles to be flex-fuel, and encourage the build out of infrastructure of pipelines and blender pumps.”
Sue Cischke, Ford’s group vice president, Sustainability, Environment and Safety Engineering, made the announcement at a biofuels industry gathering in Chicago.”Flexible-fuel vehicles are a great alternative for our customers because they provide owners with the option to choose between using E-85 and gasoline when filling up a car,” Cischke said. “Ethanol and other biofuels also help reduce the county’s dependence on imported oil.”
Today, almost eight million vehicles on U.S. highways are flexible fuel vehicles, out of over 246 million vehicles on the road. This commitment by Ford will help ensure that we meet Congress’ goal of 36 billion gallons of biofuel production by 2022 as enacted in the 2007 Energy Independence and Security Act, Buis said.
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About Growth Energy
Growth Energy is a group committed to the promise of agriculture and growing America’s economy through cleaner, greener energy. Growth Energy members recognize America needs a new ethanol approach. Through smart policy reform and a proactive grassroots campaign, Growth energy promotes reducing greenhouse gas emissions, expanding the use of ethanol in gasoline, decreasing our dependence on foreign oil, and creating American jobs at home. More information can be found at GrowthEnergy.org.