Fuente: © Boston Police Department
http://www.cityofboston.gov/police/default.asp

BOSTON POLICE: Mayor Menino Joins Effort to Support Advanced Hybrid Cars

/noticias.info/ Mayor Menino Joins Effort to Support Advanced Hybrid Cars

Signed Onto Campaign at U.S. Conference of Mayors

Mayor Thomas M. Menino joined other prominent U.S. Mayors in a national effort to support the National Plug-in Hybrid Campaign this week. Mayor Menino, who is in Washington, D.C. at the U.S. Conference of Mayors Annual Meeting, signed onto this campaign in order to demonstrate to automobile manufacturers that there is a market for flexible-fuel plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHEVs).

PHEVs take currently available gasoline-hybrid vehicles to the next level, allowing drivers to plug them in for a few hours to charge the batteries and then drive emissions free solely on electric power for 35 - 60 miles. The cost of charging the battery of a PHEV is estimated to be just 50-75 cents per gallon equivalent.

“When you consider that most drivers travel short distances throughout Boston, this new technology could significantly reduce local air emissions and save residents money,” Mayor Menino said. “This campaign furthers our efforts to ensure a clean and healthy environment and a secure energy future for all Bostonians.”

As part of Boston’s energy management strategy, the City of Boston recently revised its vehicle procurement policy to require that all new motor vehicle purchased by city departments be alternative fuel vehicles or vehicles with similar fuel economy. Also, city vehicles that currently run on conventional diesel fuel will begin using an emission reducing fuel (a biodiesel/ultra low sulfur diesel blend), thereby further reducing dependence on foreign fuel and cutting air pollution by 12-20 percent. Mayor Menino has also advocated for passage of the state alternative fuels vehicle legislation, which would provide tax incentives to businesses and residents, as well as provide grant funding for governmental entities, that invest in alternative fuels and vehicles.

Plug-in hybrid vehicles are a promising technology that can bring significant benefits to metropolitan areas such as Boston. These vehicles utilize electricity instead of gasoline for most trips under 60 miles, thereby increasing overall vehicle fuel economy, decreasing air pollution, and significantly reducing costs to the vehicle owner.

Attached is the Mayor’s letter.

January 24, 2006

Roger Duncan

Deputy General Manager

Austin Energy

721 Barton Springs Rd.

Austin, Texas 78704

Dear Mr. Duncan:

I write today to express my support for the National Plug-in Partner Campaign. The campaign will demonstrate to automobile manufacturers that there is a market for flexible-fuel Plug-in Hybrid vehicles (PHEVs). Here in Boston, as in other cities, the problem of air pollution and dependence on foreign oil associated carries a high cost. Our current vehicle technology demands that we seek a better alternative; Plug-in Hybrid vehicles can be that technology.

These vehicles run on electric power instead of gasoline for most trips under 35 miles (which covers most trips in and around Boston) and will help our nation reduce its dependency on imported oil, improve air quality, and increase overall vehicle fuel economy while reducing fuel costs to the vehicle owner.

Using domestic energy sources such as electricity for our transportation is a needed step for that I hope the automakers will rapidly develop for the mass market. Since PHEVs will be charged mostly at night, during off peak hours, millions of PHEVs could be added to the electric grid without requiring an increase in capacity. Concurrently, having utilities increase the use of clean, renewable energy sources, such as wind power, will provide even better air quality results. I look forward to encouraging utilities and policymakers to provide incentives, such as rebates, to assist with future PHEV purchases and working with business for them to consider PHEVs as part of their future purchasing plans.

I also support your efforts to modernize the automobile industry by combining plug-in technology with flexible fuel technology.

Sincerely,

Thomas M. Menino

Mayor of Boston notas_de_prensa_archivo