Go to GCC Discussions forum
Twitter headlines« India May Cut Taxes on Small Cars While Bumping Taxes on Guzzlers | Main | Potential Improvements in SOx and NOx Diesel Emissions Controls »
Florida Governor Calls for Conservation; Swaps Expedition for Hybrid
4 September 2005
In response to fuel shortages caused by Hurricane Katrina, Florida is establishing a state-wide energy conservation policy with a goal of a 10% reduction in consumption, and Governor Jeb Bush is calling on Floridians to conserve as well.
The governor has also swapped out his standard Ford Expedition for a Ford Escape hybrid.
“It’s kind of hard to be arguing to conserve gasoline when you’re driving around in a Ford Expedition that guzzles it down at a 6- to 8-mile per gallon clip,” Bush said after arriving at a northeast Tallahassee Mormon Church where hurricane evacuees were staying.
For the record, Ford Motor Co.’s Web site says its Expedition gets about 14 miles per gallon in city driving and 19 on the highway. But its Escape Hybrid gets an EPA-estimated 36 mpg in town and 31 on the highway. “This baby outside . . . makes more sense,” Bush said. (St. Petersburg Times)
Drivers in Florida consume some 23 million gallons of fuel a day. Consumption is spiking due to concerns over price increases and availability.
September 4, 2005 in Hybrids, Policy | Permalink | Comments (10) | TrackBack (1)
TrackBack
TrackBack URL for this entry:
http://www.typepad.com/services/trackback/6a00d8341c4fbe53ef00d83423e58453ef
Listed below are links to weblogs that reference Florida Governor Calls for Conservation; Swaps Expedition for Hybrid:
» cars and Green Car Congress: Florida Governor Calls for Conservation. Swaps from
Cable Car Accident in Austria Kills Nine (AP via Yahoo! News) - A helicopter accidentally dropped a heavy tub used to carry concrete onto a cable car at a ski resort monday, killing nine people three in the gondola that was struck and six others catapu... [Read More]
Comments
Verify your Comment
Previewing your Comment
This is only a preview. Your comment has not yet been posted.
As a final step before posting your comment, enter the letters and numbers you see in the image below. This prevents automated programs from posting comments.
Having trouble reading this image? View an alternate.
I hope this is the start of a trend. a second wave if you will, of hybrid adoption.
Posted by: odograph | September 04, 2005 at 11:49 AM
Well ... this seems logical. At last someone is moving ahead... is it the future president?
Posted by: clapclap | September 04, 2005 at 11:56 AM
By hitting the pocket book, a progressive $1/gallon pollution tax would reduce gas and fuel consumption by as much as 25% and more in a rather short time. A $2/gallon pollution tax could reduce gas and fuel consumption by as much as 50% and a $3/gallon polution tax would do even better. Drivers would quickly find a way to travel less or by group, by bus, by train etc.
Posted by: Harvey D | September 04, 2005 at 01:17 PM
Off topic:
Mike, I just want to point out that the "about" and "contact" links of your site seem to be broken.
Also, here's something that might (or not) interest you:
http://www.treehugger.com/files/2005/09/motorcycle_engi.php
Posted by: Mikhail Capone | September 04, 2005 at 01:22 PM
Clickable link: http://www.treehugger.com/files/2005/09/motorcycle_engi.php
Posted by: Mikhail Capone | September 04, 2005 at 01:22 PM
How asburd. The man's blood is made of oil.
Posted by: Joseph Willemssen | September 04, 2005 at 02:19 PM
It's a good PR move, and it at least shows he has 'leadership' skills, but I don't think America deserves another Bushwacking.
Posted by: Schwa | September 04, 2005 at 03:17 PM
EPA mileage ratings are based on lab tests in which the vehicle never exceeds 60mph, theoretically.
Posted by: tom | September 04, 2005 at 05:26 PM
It's a good move. A bit of PR, but every bit helps. I can't help but wonder though, why not a vehicle that gets even more MPG? I'd guess it's because the rest are either (a) not American made, or (b) too small for a head as large as a governor's.
Are there any fairly large sized American cars that get better MPGs than the Escape hybrid?
Posted by: stomv | September 05, 2005 at 04:37 PM
What took him so long? These people need to be whacked in the face before they wake up. That's not leadership, albeit a bit better than his truly retrograde brother.
Posted by: t | September 08, 2005 at 04:03 PM