As the new home of RIPIRG's environmental work, Environment Rhode Island can be contacted regarding this news release.
With the price of gas at
record levels and air pollution creating hotter and less healthy summers, hybrid
cars are becoming a more attractive option to consumers in Rhode Island.
Whether potential car buyers
are concerned about how much they spend on gas, how much their vehicle pollutes
or just want a good car, the hybrid market in Rhode Island is growing rapidly.
However, if state officials do not act, there is no guarantee that Rhode Island
will receive as many of these cars as other states in the Northeast over the
next decade.
"Most Northeastern
states have acted to ensure they will be sent an increasing number of hybrids
over the next decade by adopting the Clean Cars Standard," said Matthew
Auten of the Rhode Island Public Interest Research Group (RIPIRG).
The Clean Cars Standard
would require manufacturers to send an increasing number of ultra low polluting
vehicles to Rhode Island over the next decade, including more hybrids and traditional
gasoline vehicles that are equipped with emission technology that makes them
90% cleaner than traditional vehicles. "These are great cars and we should
be sure that consumers in Rhode Island have the same chance to buy them as someone
living in Massachusetts or New York," Auten continued.
Rhode Island is already
experiencing some problems with the supply of hybrid cars. "We have two
Prius hybrids for demonstration, but none in stock," said Paul Mika, President
and Owner of Toyota of Newport. "Our waiting list to get a Prius is about
four or five months long right now. A lot of customers are willing to wait though
because they really want one of these cars."
Nationally sales of the
gas-electric Toyota Prius hybrid was up 71.8% for the first two months of 2004.
Gasoline prices at the pump
are currently at record high levels and experts do not predict that prices will
fall anytime soon. Last Monday, the national average price for a gallon of regular
gasoline was a record $1.758 a gallon. According to the American Automobile
Association's web site prices in Rhode Island were slightly higher at $1.766
per gallon.
Owning a hybrid car can
translate into savings at the pump, especially when gasoline prices spike upward.
The average passenger car can drive 27.5 miles on a gallon of gas, while the
average light-truck or sport utility vehicle can go 20.7 miles. Meanwhile the
two most popular hybrid car models, the Honda Civic and the Toyota Prius, can
drive 47 miles and 55 miles respectively on a single gallon of gas.
Katie Gormally, a prospective
car buyer and a senior at Johnson and Wales University in Providence, says that
she is thinking about purchasing a hybrid when she graduates, because she has
heard they are good cars and get great gas mileage. "It is pretty obvious
that you can save a lot of gas money," said Gormally. "As a graduating
senior the idea that I can drive more than 500 miles on a tank of gas is pretty
exciting."
Many hybrid owners give
their cars glowing reviews and intend to purchase another one in the future.
"I love my hybrid," said State Senator June Gibbs, who represents
Little Compton, Middletown, Newport and Tiverton and owns a Honda Civic hybrid.
"I have to fill up my tank less often, but more importantly I know my car
pollutes less and will help reduce air pollution and improve Rhode Island's
environment."
When asked about whether
gas prices or the environment influences hybrid buyers Mika responded that,
"Yes, gas prices do play a role with some customers, but that is a side
benefit, most people buy hybrids because they help clean the air. Rhode Island
has a lot of natural beauty and environmentally conscious people who care about
having a cleaner environment."
The state of Rhode Island
has severe air pollution problems. Air throughout the entire state fails to
meet minimum federal air quality health standards. Over the past 2 years there
have been 27 red alert ozone days when residents have been warned to avoid outdoor
exertion because outdoor air is unhealthy to breathe. Global warming and rising
water levels may place Rhode Island's 400 miles of densely populated shoreline
at risk in the near future. Beach erosion is already a major problem in some
coastal areas around the state.
In addition, air toxins
in Rhode Island pose an elevated risk of residents developing cancer. Benzene
is so prevalent in Rhode Island that residents of the state face cancer risks
that are six to eleven times higher than accepted levels. Advocates of clean
air believe that bringing more hybrids is a step that Rhode Island should take
to reduce air pollution.
"We have severe air
pollution problems in Rhode Island, putting cleaner cars on the road will reduce
pollution from Rhode Island's largest source; our cars," said Auten. "Governor
Carcieri needs ensure that these cars actually get to Rhode Island by adopting
the Clean Cars Standard immediately," he concluded.
Massachusetts and New York
have already adopted the Clean Cars Standard. Other states in the Northeast
have followed suit including New Jersey and Vermont. Connecticut is also considering
adopting the Clean Cars Standard. Just last month Governor Rowland of Connecticut
endorsed the Clean Cars Standard while noting its environmental benefits.
"The Clean Cars Standard
just makes sense in Rhode Island," said Senator Gibbs. "We have air
pollution problems and need cleaner cars, I definitely support it," she
concluded.
"Bringing more clean
cars to Rhode Island is a good idea," said Mika. "Governor Carcieri
should support the Clean Cars Standard because it is important for our elected
officials to be leaders in showing the importance of cleaning up the air."
RIPIRG is a non-profit,
non partisan public interest advocacy organization that represents over 1,000
citizen members across the state of Rhode Island.
