Green Guide

DRIVING GREEN: Going Hybrid for Love and Money
By Sally Gilhooley

Driving green is in. Hollywood headliners putting pedal to the metal in politically-correct hybrid cars include: Cameron Diaz, Leonardo DiCaprio, Billy Joel, Patricia Arquette, Ed Begley Jr., Bill Maher, Rob Reiner, Will Ferrell, Jennifer Aniston who replaced her Range Rover and Seinfeld co-creator, Larry David, who bought three including one for his character, Larry David, to drive on his hit HBO series “Curb your Enthusiasm.”

Being green is becoming cutting edge in the worlds of media, technology and entertainment. Red carpets aside, movie moguls have embraced the eco-friendly lifestyle. Even the 2007 Academy Awards ceremony went green this year. Producer Laura Ziskin worked with the National Resources Defense Council (NRDC) to neutralize the environmental impact associated with the event.

Not only did An Inconvenient Truth, Al Gore's documentary about global warning, win two Oscars but the telecast was green-designed to be carbon-neutral, meaning that any greenhouse gas emissions associated with the event were neutralized to no longer contribute to global warming. Organizers purchased renewable energy credits to offset 250,000 pounds of carbon dioxide emissions associated with the Oscar telecast. Other green initiatives included an energy audit of the theatre, biodegradable dishware, eco-friendly paper for invitations and programs, a recycling system for waste, organic food for the Governor's Ball and hybrid vehicle transportation for presenters and staff.

Hybrid Vehicle Choices

While the Toyota Prius is the hybrid car du-jour now, there are other green car choices including all electric, fuel cell and hydrogen cars being developed in the pipeline every day. The Prius technology is hybrid electric with a gasoline engine and electric motor to create more efficient operation. Estimates for combined city/highway driving range between 40 to 55 miles per gallon depending on driving conditions.

The new 2008 Ford Escape Hybrid gets 34 mpg and is the most fuel efficient SUV on the road. Dual fuel vehicles or flexible-fuel vehicles (FFV) sometimes called flex-fuel cars run on 85% ethanol (made from bio-material such as corn and other grain products) or gasoline and can alternate between the two. Chevrolet has over 1.5 million E85 FlexFuel vehicles on the road at present. Diesel and bio-diesel refer to the alternative fuel used in diesel engines. Natural gas cars like the Honda Civic GX NGV use compressed natural gas that burns cleaner than gasoline. The 2007 model has been named "America's Greenest Car" according to the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE).

The world's first hydrogen-powered luxury performance car, the BMW Hydrogen 7, is ready for testing. BMW has built 100 Hydrogen 7 cars that emit virtually nothing but water vapor in a limited — not for sale — production run. During the International Film Festival in Berlin, Sharon Stone, Richard Gere and other stars were passengers in the new sedans. BMW in hosting the "Ultimate Drive" supporting Susan G. Komen Drive for the Cure, the fundraiser for breast cancer research, has made the new Hydrogen 7 cars available for the tour fleet.

Perks for Driving Hybrid

The Energy Policy Act of 2005 replaced the clean-fuel burning deduction with a tax credit that is subtracted directly from the total amount of federal tax owed. Credits range from several hundred dollars to $3,000. See www.irs.gov for dollar amounts on green vehicles. New York State hybrid drivers also enjoy a welcome additional advantage. The Prius and several other hybrid models are eligible for a New York State Clean Pass sticker allowing the driver to go onto a High Vehicle Occupancy (HOV) lane when driving alone. (See sidebar - Clean Pass Vehicle Program) What a boon for the Long Island Expressway traveler!

Suffolk County Green Vehicle Fleet

Suffolk County Executive Steve Levy said in an interview with Networking® magazine, “We need to be creative and explore every angle for making the purchase and use of hybrid vehicles more convenient. When I was a State Assemblyman I proposed that hybrid vehicles be allowed to use HOV lanes even with a single driver, and I am pleased that in 2006 this proposal was implemented by the Governor.

“Moving our Suffolk County vehicle fleets towards cleaner burning technologies makes both environmental and economic sense. It is a technology with many benefits that will be realized by taxpayers today as well as by future generations who will enjoy cleaner skies and healthier air.”

Levy added, “I have long advocated for government to lead by example and Suffolk County is proud to use its purchasing power to help establish a strong market for cleaner burning technologies such as hybrids and bio-diesel fuels.”

As of December 2006, Suffolk County had 38 hybrid vehicles; Honda Accords, Ford Escapes and Ford Escape 4x4s in its civilian fleet (non-police or public safety). For 2007, Levy authorized the purchase of an additional 25 to 30 hybrid vehicles and has altered the replacement program to include the purchase of hybrids as older vehicles are retired.

The County’s bus fleet has replaced close to 40% of its fleet with reduced emission units for cleaner-burning diesel fuels. It has purchased four hybrid electric/diesel buses which will be tested in a pilot program. In addition, Suffolk has replaced nearly 25% of its use of diesel fuel with cleaner-burning bio-diesel (B20) in its heavy-duty trucks and equipment, over 70,000 gallons. B20 is a mix of traditional diesel fuel with 20% bio-diesel and can be used in any conventional diesel engine without the need for modifications.

“By converting 25% of our diesel fuel usage to bio-diesel, we estimate we will have a significant reduction in carbon dioxide emissions as well as decreasing carbon monoxide by 12% and particulate pollutants by 13% annually,” Levy said.

Who’s Driving Green

Gordian Raacke, executive director, Renewable Energy Long Island (RELI), traded in his Subaru for a 2007 Prius last March and says, “I love it. I don't know why I didn't get one before. I get over 50 miles to the gallon. I predict that in five years many more of us will be driving these cars.”

He adds, “I'm 6’4” so I was concerned about the size of the interior and I found it has amazing head and leg room. My wife is an artist and has to transport large paintings. The Prius has plenty of room for them.”

More raves for the Prius came from Sarah Lansdale, executive director, Sustainable Long Island, who says, “I’ve had it for a year and wouldn’t drive anything else. I feel I’m living our mission to promote a more sustainable Long Island. The tax credit was great and an added incentive to the purchase. I get about 46 miles to the gallon and what I really love is how quiet it is,” she adds.

As of 2006, the total number of clean and green cars in the Long Island Power Authority (LIPA) vehicle fleet was 71. Dan Zaweski, assistant vice president of energy efficiency & distributed generation at LIPA, has been driving one of LIPA's corporate office fleet of four hybrids, a Honda Civic, since 2003.

He says, “Our experience here at LIPA with two Honda Civic and two Toyota Prius hybrids in our corporate office fleet has been nothing but positive — no breakdowns and perfect operation. One car has over 120,000 miles and its original battery.” He adds, “What has been terrific, especially given the traffic here on Long Island, has been the ability to utilize the HOV lane for a tremendous time savings. I'm seeing more and more hybrids in that lane.”

Robert Penn, owner of Penn Toyota in Roslyn, says, “Our sales of the Prius have doubled in one year, gone from 8 to 10 a month to 20 a month. I had to sell my demo recently and I'm waiting for another. I drive a lot in the city and in mileage it excels in city driving.

“The ‘07 Toyota Highlander, the hybrid SUV that seats 7 people, has been very popular getting between 30 to 40 miles to the gallon. The 2008 model is even more coveted because of the re-design making it easier to get into the back seat. It's really the hybrids that people want now.”

Future Outlook for Hybrid Vehicles

According to J. D. Power and Associates, the global marketing information services firm, sales of all hybrid vehicles will increase up to 35% in 2007. Last year, 256,000 hybrids were sold in the U.S. while indications are that 345,000 may be sold by the end of this year giving hybrids a 2.3% share of the total market.

A report from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory says that in the eight years hybrids have been sold in the U.S., they've saved 230 million gallons of fuel. With more models to choose from like the Ford Fusion Hybrid, Chevy Malibu Hybrid, GM's stable of two model Hybrid SUVs and models from Dodge and Chrysler, there will be many more hybrids on the road — and not at the gas pump.

New York’s Clean Pass Vehicle Program

Clean Pass is an innovative pilot program that allows eligible low-emission, energy-efficient vehicles to use the 40-mile Long Island Expressway High Occupancy Vehicle (LIE/HOV) lanes regardless of the number of occupants in the vehicle. The program is projected to result in an estimated reduction of 6,000 tons of greenhouse gas emissions and savings in excess of 500,000 gallons of gasoline.

As part of the Strategic Energy Action Plan, the program expands the use of energy-efficient vehicles, giving Long Island commuters the incentive to save money, gas and time, while reducing stress on the LIE. Motorists whose estimated United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) fuel economy rating averages at least 45 miles per gallon and meets certain strict emissions standards may participate by applying to the State Department of Motor Vehicles.

Clean Pass is a multi-agency pilot program partnering three New York State agencies; the State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT), the State Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), and State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC). The passage of the federal transportation bill, Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU) enabled states to allow low-emission and energy-efficient vehicles to use HOV facilities regardless of occupancy.

Prior to this pilot program, the HOV lanes were reserved for use by vehicles with two or more occupants, buses and motorcycles during peak hours - weekdays from 6 am to 10 am and from 3 pm to 8 pm At other times, the LIE/HOV lanes are open to all traffic.

Eligible cars for a Clean Pass include the Toyota Prius Hybrid, model year 2001-2007; Honda Civic Hybrid, model year 2003-2007; and the Honda Insight Hybrid, model year 2000-2004. Clean Pass stickers are required and registered owners of eligible vehicles can apply to DMV to participate in the Clean Pass program. Vehicles with Clean Pass stickers can travel the 40 continuous miles of LIE/HOV lanes in the eastbound and westbound directions from Medford in Suffolk County to the Queens border. All commercial vehicles are prohibited from the left and HOV lanes - regardless of vehicle type. If you have a commercial vehicle, even with Clean Pass stickers, you may be ticketed while traveling in those lanes.

A key attribute of the LIE/HOV system is that it provides time-savings for peak-period commuters. Enforcement of the LIE/HOV regulations is provided by dedicated police patrols from the Nassau and Suffolk county police departments to maintain the integrity and reliability of the HOV lanes.

The Clean Pass program was initially implemented as a one-year pilot program in order for the NYSDOT to monitor the effects of additional vehicles in the HOV lanes. Under the Federal Regulations in SAFETEA-LU, the state must discontinue allowing low emission and energy-efficient vehicles in the HOV lanes if they fail to maintain a 45 mph minimum average operating speed 90% of the time over a consecutive 180-day period during morning or evening weekday rush hours.

The Department has been monitoring the capacity and the speed of the HOV lanes for the Clean Pass program since March 2006. Though the program has continued beyond its one-year pilot period, the Department and its partner agencies will make a determination about the future of the program based on findings and the final determination of the US EPA establishing requirements for certification of vehicles as low-emission and energy-efficient.

NYSDOT is reviewing the rule by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) that establishes criteria for determining eligible vehicles for the Clean Pass program. There has been some degradation in the operation of the LIE/HOV lanes since its implementation and the State needs to be sure these lanes are not overwhelmed. At present, Clean Pass stickers will continue to be issued based on current criteria until a new NYS criteria is established.

Applications for a Clean Pass can be made over the phone by calling the State Department of Motor Vehicles 1 800-697-0558 between 8 am and 4 pm, Monday through Friday. Have your NYS vehicle registration card available to provide information to the DMV representative. There is no fee for the stickers. After the application is approved, your Clean Pass vehicle stickers and information about the program will arrive within 10 days.

BACK | NEXT | INDEX