Press Contact: Sophie Cardona: (212) 361-2400, ext. 244 , or email cardona@informinc.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, April 9, 1998

NATURAL GAS TAXI SALE A BREATH OF FRESH AIR FOR NEW YORKERS

New York, NY -– Ford Motor Company's announcement today of its largest single sale ever of 100 natural gas-powered taxis, and additional incentives to encourage other taxi owners to purchase natural gas cabs, "is a great step forward in the quest for cleaner, healthier air in New York City," according to Joanna D. Underwood, the founder of INFORM, Inc., a national environmental research organization.

Ford's program provides a $5,000 incentive toward a year's worth of free natural gas fuel or an on-site refueling device to taxi operators who order 1998 model dedicated natural gas Crown Victoria sedans by May 12.

Transportation is the largest single source of air pollution in New York City, accounting for as much as 90 percent of the City's air pollution. More than half of New York's smog, 90 percent of its carbon monoxide pollution, 50 percent of its toxic air emissions, and 36 percent of its carbon dioxide discharges come from automotive vehicles.

Ms. Underwood noted that "the exhaust emitted by vehicles burning gasoline and diesel fuels take a heavy toll on public health."

• Every year, approximately 4,000 New Yorkers face unnecessary premature death as a result of breathing particulate matter, or soot, much of which comes from automobile tailpipes.
• Air pollution contributes to soaring asthma rates among children in the city's poorest neighborhoods.
• Tailpipe emissions may also contain toxic and cancer causing chemicals and carbon monoxide.

"In the near term, the use of natural gas to power our cars can help to dramatically reduce air pollution in New York City," according to Dr. Nevin Cohen, Director of Research. "Natural gas is far less polluting than gasoline, performs well in cars, is cheaper than gasoline, is produced domestically, and is safe." Cars running on natural gas emit 95 percent less carbon monoxide and toxic air pollution, 80 percent fewer hydrocarbon emissions, and 30 percent fewer smog-producing nitrogen oxides than traditional gasoline-powered vehicles.

"Switching from gasoline to natural gas not only improves the air that New Yorkers breathe, but also helps to fulfill other national and international goals," added Ms. Underwood. Because natural gas is a domestic fuel, its use in place of foreign oil improves the United State's balance of trade and improves national security by reducing our reliance on Middle East sources. Since natural gas emits less carbon than gasoline, it can help us to meet our global commitments to reducing releases of greenhouse gases.

The widespread use of natural gas can also support the infrastructure and materials development that will facilitate the use of hydrogen, a fuel that is infinite and virtually non-polluting. INFORM's recently released report, Gearing Up For Hydrogen, describes the rapid pace of development of fuel cells, which combine hydrogen and oxygen to produce electricity that can power vehicles with zero emissions. In the short term, hydrogen can be obtained from natural gas. The natural gas delivery infrastructure can also be used to supply a natural gas/hydrogen mix.

"With the announcement of this incentive program, New York remains far ahead of the rest of the nation in the use of cleaner, alternative fuel vehicles," noted Ms. Underwood. "Ford, New York State and City, and Brooklyn Union Gas and Con Ed should be congratulated for providing critical support to move us to a healthier, sustainable transportation system."

INFORM is a national nonprofit organization that identifies practical ways of living and doing business that are environmentally sustainable. For more than a decade, INFORM's reports on alternative transportation fuels and advanced vehicle technologies have been respected resources worldwide.