WASHINGTON, DC – Growth Energy, the coalition of U.S. ethanol supporters, today welcomed an announcement by Ford Motor Company that it will offer more than 12 Flex Fuel Vehicle models in its 2011 fleet. Growth Energy strongly supports the expanded production and use of flex fuel vehicles that gives American consumers greater fuel choice and helps reduce our dependence on foreign oil.
“If we’re going to reduce emissions, clean the air, and increase our energy independence, we need to ensure that our entire vehicle fleet and fuel infrastructure are ready to use expanded U.S. ethanol production,” said Tom Buis, CEO of Growth Energy. “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. We commend Ford Motor Co. for their continued commitment to manufacture FFVs and we urge Congress to pass legislation that will encourage all vehicles to be flex-fuel and support the construction of blender pumps and ethanol dispensing equipment.”
Ford’s announcement was made this week at the Ford 2011 Model Year Advance Product Meeting in Minnesota in front of fleet and dealership representatives. At the meeting, Ford personnel provided an overview of their vehicle lineup for the coming model year which includes more than 12 Flex Fuel Vehicle models.
The new 2011 FFV models include:
3.0L Fusion
3.0L Escape
F-150 (engine to be announced)
5.4L Expedition & Expedition EL
5.4L Expedition EL Limo
6.2L F-250 & F-350 Pickup and F-350 Chassis Cab
4.6L & 5.4L E-Series models
4.6L Crown Victoria, Taxi & Police Interceptor
4.6L Lincoln Town Car
5.4L Lincoln Navigator
5.4L Navigator L
5.4L Navigator L Limo
3.0L Mercury Milan
3.0L Mercury Mariner
4.6L Mercury Grand Marquis
Today, almost eight million vehicles on U.S. highways are flexible fuel vehicles, out of over 246 million vehicles on the road. Ford’s commitment to manufacture more Flex Fuel Vehicles 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.