Number of Alternative Fuel Autos on California's Roads Increased 17% in 2006

[jpak]

http://www.yubanet.com/artman/publish/article_55055.shtml

Automakers are celebrating National Alternative Fuel Autos Month by releasing state specific data on the sales of Alternative Fuel Autos. The R.L. Polk and Co. figures show 837,743 hybrid-electric, ethanol-capable E-85 and clean diesel autos on California's roads in 2006, marking an increase of 17 percent from 2005 when there were approximately 700,000 Alternative Fuel Autos on the state's roads. California ranks second in the nation in terms of the total number of Alternative Fuel Autos on the road.

The Polk sales figures also reveal that on a national level an unprecedented 1.5 million Alternative Fuel Autos were sold in 2006, surpassing automakers' sales expectations by 50 percent. The 2006 sales bring the total number of Alternative Fuel Autos on the nation's roads to 10.5 million.

"I am pleased to see that the sales of Alternative Fuel Autos are rising. The auto industry is a dynamic high-tech sector and manufacturers are committed to selling vehicles that can run on something other than just gasoline. Consumers are taking notice," said Dave McCurdy, president of the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers.

"Automakers believe that consumer awareness, fueling infrastructure and government incentives all work together to help put more Alternative Fuel Autos on the roads," said McCurdy.

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[phantom power]

1. I think I must call bullshit....

1) Hybrid-electrics burn gasoline. Not "alternate fuels."

2) How many E85 "capable" cars are actually burning E85? Damn few, is my guess.

3) it seems like reaching to call "clean diesel" an "alternate fuel."