Taking Off To A Cleaner Environment

Thursday, March 1, 2001

Taking Off To A Cleaner Environment (NAPSA)—Americans may be able to breathea sigh of relief now that our airports are cleaning up the way they get around on the ground. Air travel is the fastest growing segment of the transportation industry and experts estimate that groundservice equipmentis respon- sible for more air pollution than the airlines themselves. The increased airport traffic has resulted in airports going for more aggressive emission control programs. The major solution to the problem of pollution, many agree, is the increased use of Alternative Fuel Vehicles (AFVs). Unlike gasoline vehicles, in which evaporative and fueling emissions account for at least half the total hydrogen the vehicles give off, natural gas and electric vehicles emit little or no evaporative emissions during refueling or use. These cars can emit about 70 percent less carbon monoxide than gas vehicles and 87 percent less nitrous oxide. In fact, one electric vehicle, the Ford Elec- tric Ranger, has been labeled as the cleanest vehicle in the world, with zero emissions. Manyairports are already onboard with AFVsandrealizing the benefits. Since cost containmentis often the key to profitability and fuel is one of the greatest and most variable operating expenses for these vehicles, AFVs have assisted in improvingthe airports’ bottom lines. In onetest, on a per mile basis, fuel costs for naturalgas driven vehicles were 28.6 percent less than gasoline vans. Manyairports now require alternative fuel vehicles for ground service and concessionaires. @ These air care cars are even comfortable. The new 2001 stretch Crown Victoria natural gas vehicle, for instance, offers five more inches of rear legroom for easier rear passenger entry and exiting. Ford is considered the industry leader in AFV production and provides airport crews and concessionaires with vehicles backed by a standard Ford warranty, trained service technicians at dealerships and customer service from established, reputable automotive manufacturers. The AFVs seem to be a downto-earth way to take the high road to cleanerair.

--- PHOTOS ---

File: 20190731-173726-20190731-173724-51387.pdf.jpg

--- FILES ---

File: 20190731-173724-51387.pdf