Co-op America: Tell Ford and GM: Ethanol is Not the Answer!

As the planet heats up, America’s largest car makers are giving us a lot of hot air about solutions, but taking few real steps to meaningfully reduce carbon emissions.

Ford vehicles were responsible for 25 percent of the carbon emissions from cars in the United States in 2004, and GM vehicles were responsible for 31 percent. Both companies continue to resist a rise in Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards, and both promote ethanol as a viable part of the solution to global warming and energy security. However, ethanol-fueled cars are less fuel-efficient and using current technologies can even produce more global warming emissions than gasoline-fueled cars. The corn that goes into ethanol takes massive amounts of energy, water, and land to produce, and using it for fuel could take away food from the world’s poorest peoples.

Instead of promoting ethanol, automobile manufacturers need to improve the fuel efficiency of their vehicles to 40 mpg by 2012 and 55 mpg by 2020, and increase their production of hybrid and plug-in vehicles. This is the scale of action scientists say is necessary to avoid a climate crisis. Raising fuel efficiency to these standards will also save 3 million barrels of oil a day – more than we import from the Persian Gulf. Any response less than these targets, and any response that takes longer than this timeline, is not adequate and not acceptable.

Both Ford and GM have the capability to mass produce plug-in hybrid cars in the near future. Ford has announced a partnership with Southern California Edison to produce such cars in the next 5-10 years. Chevy unveiled the Chevy Volt concept car, a plug-in, at auto shows this year. Now, both carmakers need to hear from consumers that plug-in hybrids need to go on sale soon.

Join thousands of other concerned consumers nationwide in telling Ford and GM to stop promoting corn-based ethanol, and focus instead on increased fuel efficiency and plug-in hybrid vehicles as real solutions to the climate and energy crises.

TO: Mr. William Clay Ford, Jr., Chairman, Ford Motor Company; Mr. Alan R. Mulally, President, CEO and Director, Ford Motor Company; Mr. G. Richard Wagoner, Jr., Chairman and CEO, General Motors Corporation

I am deeply concerned that Ford and General Motors are promoting ethanol-fueled vehicles as a solution to America’s energy and environmental needs. Between the energy and resources it takes to produce ethanol and its emissions when burned, ethanol offers virtually no reductions in carbon emissions. Also, corn-based ethanol diverts a vital food source to fuel, driving up prices for many food products that consumers need, and potentially causing food scarcity and hunger.

Instead of promoting ethanol, your companies need to improve the fuel efficiency of your vehicles to 40 mpg by 2012 and 55 mpg by 2020 to avert a climate crisis. Since the majority of your companies’ greenhouse gas emissions are generated by your cars when they’re driven this calls for increased fuel efficiency and increased production of hybrid, including plug-in hybrid cars. Stricter fuel economy regulations are already on their way into effect, and companies that are prepared to address those regulations will be best positioned to be profitable.

These measures would address climate change, reduce our dependence on foreign oil, and give your company a larger market share as more and more consumers seek out fuel-efficient vehicles. The next car I buy will be a plug-in hybrid or electric vehicle and I’ll only consider buying from your company if you make them!

Sincerely,
Your Name
Your City and State

Here's who's signed the letter to Ford and GM and which car dealer they are targeting.

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