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Mayor Bloomberg Becomes First Big City Mayor to Endorse 'EcoDrivingUSA(TM)'

Posted on: Friday, 17 April 2009, 09:54 CDT

Offers City Support for National Fuel Use and CO2 Reduction Program

NEW YORK, April 17 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The EcoDriving movement added another key supporter as New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg became the first big city mayor to endorse the initiative. Mayor Bloomberg adds his name to a growing list of elected officials who have announced their support for the program. EcoDrivingUSA was launched in August 2008 at an event with Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger (R-CA), Governor Bill Ritter (D-CO), the Environmental Defense Fund and the Auto Alliance.

"Many motorists may not realize it, but it is easy to drive green - and you don't need to buy a hybrid vehicle to do it," said Mayor Bloomberg. "Through the simple steps of EcoDriving, you can reduce your carbon emissions, prolong the life of your car, and save money at the pump."

By supporting EcoDriving, Mayor Bloomberg is helping to raise awareness of how simple and easy-to-use driving and vehicle maintenance best practices can improve mileage by about 15 percent. If all New Yorkers practiced even moderate levels of EcoDriving, carbon dioxide emissions could be reduced by more than 1.6 million tons annually.

"Mayor Bloomberg recognizes the significant role EcoDriving can play in helping consumers save money at the pump while at the same time reducing greenhouse gas emissions from their automobiles," said Dave McCurdy, president and CEO of the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers. "His support for this driver-friendly program shows leadership in engaging the citizens of New York City to start driving green. And it emphasizes his commitment to being a part of the comprehensive solution to protect the environment."

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, practicing EcoDriving makes sense," 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, Land Rover Jaguar, Mazda, Mercedes-Benz, Mitsubishi Motors, Porsche, Toyota and Volkswagen. For more information, visit the Alliance Web site at www.autoalliance.org.

EcoDriving Contact: Charles Territo, 202.326.5523

Mayor's Office Contact: 212.788.2958

SOURCE Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers

Source: PR Newswire

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