The Volt will be the first electric car used by the New York City Police Department, which also uses electric scooters and golf cars. The Volts represent the majority of 70 new electric vehicles joining the city fleet, which now has 430 electric vehicles.

“This is the latest and largest-ever addition of electric vehicles to the City’s fleet, which is already the largest municipal clean-air vehicle fleet in the nation,” Bloomberg said in a press statement. “We will continue to lead by example, but we also must provide New Yorkers with tools to make environmentally friendly choices in their own lives.

“When provided with the facts, people become far more likely to choose an electric vehicle. Our job is to ensure the public has the facts, ensure they can make their own decisions and ensure that if they want to drive an electric vehicle, we are providing the infrastructure needed. It’s all part of our PlaNYC agenda to create a greener, greater New York City.”

For the first 35 miles, the Volt can drive gas- and tailpipe emissions-free using a full charge of electricity stored in its 16-kWh lithium-ion battery. When the Volt’s battery runs low, a gas-powered engine/generator seamlessly operates to extend the driving range another 344 miles on a full tank for a total driving range of 379 miles.

Volvo Cars has released its first ever game on Facebook. Promoting its fuel-efficient C30 DRIVe, the game challenges people to virtually drive the car all the way around the world in 80 days using only their network of Facebook friends. Volvo will donate €15,000 to a project that fights global warming in the name of the team that drives around the world the most efficiently. Launched November 16 the game will run until February 4, 2010.

Six Degrees of Separation
Is your network of friends global enough to get you around the world in 80 days? Based on the concept of six degrees of separation, DRIVe Around The World challenges you to virtually drive your C30 to a Facebook friend who lives as close to 828 miles away as possible; that’s the distance the thrifty C30 DRIVe makes on just one tank of fuel. Then the car is passed on from friend to friend, moving from country to country, until it makes its way around the world back to you.

A Prize For Everyone
And for the winning team that drives around the world within 80 days and in the most efficient manner, Volvo will donate €15,000 in their name to an environmentally-friendly wind farm in Izmir, Turkey. Such an impressive donation is enough to offset the amount of carbon an average person creates in a lifetime. And, for everyone who plays DRIVe Around The World, Volvo will additionally offset 99 grams of CO2; so the more people play the game the better it is for everyone.

The Most Well Connected Person In The World
Launched on Facebook on November 16, 2009, DRIVe Around The World will be a unique social experiment. Can a team made up of friends-of-friends work together to win a prize that benefits the environment? And when the competition finally closes in February 4, 2010 Volvo will have found arguably the world’s most well-connected person in the winning team’s captain. The winning team will be announced early February.

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) today awarded Smith Electric Vehicles U.S. Corporation (Smith) a $10 million grant toward the production of all-electric, zero emissions commercial trucks for a nationwide demonstration project to validate performance across a range of climates and locations.

The grant will help to hasten vehicle purchasing and deployment among Smith’s customers as the government provides incentives to reduce the cost of commercial vehicles. The trucks will be purchased by and distributed to customers nationwide, including AT&T, Coca-Cola Enterprises, Frito-Lay, Kansas City Power & Light, Pacific Gas & Electric Company and Staples, which were presented with the keys to the first U.S. Smith Newtons last week in an event on the National Mall.

To produce its new electric vehicle fleet, Smith has already announced the imminent opening of a new production facility in Kansas City. The grant will contribute toward new equipment and accelerate hiring plans for “green collar” manufacturing employees

Today’s announcement came at an event held at Kansas City Power & Light’s vehicle maintenance facility. Commerce Secretary Gary Locke announced the grant on behalf of the administration. Rep. Emanuel Cleaver, II and Mike Chesser, chairman, Kansas City Power & Light, were also in attendance.

“This project is an endorsement of the electric commercial truck industry and begins to provide the resources needed to quickly increase production volume, which in turn will lower costs, increase demand and create more jobs,” said Bryan Hansel, CEO of Smith. “We have the potential today for tens of thousands of electric trucks in the fleets of corporate America. This demonstration fleet will allow major corporations to evaluate the technology at greatly reduced cost, which we expect will rapidly accelerate the shift from trial phase to volume orders.

“Today the Obama Administration demonstrated its commitment to this fast-emerging industry and to green fleet vehicle technologies that will define the future of American automotive manufacturing. We are honored to be among the DOE grant recipients and commend the Administration for its leadership and shared vision that we can create a viable, sustainable industry and deliver green fleets today,” continued Hansel.

Smith vehicles feature the latest in Lithium-ion battery cell technology, power management and direct drivetrains. The grant program supports demonstration fleets of two Smith vehicles: the Smith Newton and a Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV) version of the Ford Transit Connect, which is built through a partnership with Ford Motor Company.

The Smith Newton is fuel-emissions-free, runs without noise or vibration, and stores electric energy during stopping through a process called regenerative braking. It has a top speed of 50 mph, a range on one battery charge in excess of 100 miles and a payload of over 16,000 pounds. The Newton is also the first commercial all-electric truck to achieve new vehicle emissions certification in California.

The Transit Connect BEV is a new urban vehicle that can go up to 100 miles on a single charge of its all-electric power system, carries payloads up to 1,600 pounds and has a top speed of 70 mph. The vehicle requires no shifting and is faster from zero to 30 than its traditionally-powered equivalent.

Smith, headquartered in Kansas City, Mo., is a privately held company owned by Private Investors Management and The Tanfield Group Plc, based in the United Kingdom. Tanfield is the parent company of Smith Electric Vehicles in the U.K., the leading manufacturer of zero-emissions battery-electric commercial vehicles in Europe since the 1920s.

Smith Electric Vehicles has produced the Newton truck in Europe for more than three years and has sold vehicles to major fleet operators in sectors such as mail and parcel delivery, logistics, retail, highway maintenance and airports.

About Smith Electric Vehicles U.S. Corporation: Smith Electric Vehicles U.S. Corporation (Smith) (www.sev-us.com), a Delaware corporation, is an all-electric zero-emissions commercial truck manufacturer. The company licenses its proprietary technology from Smith Electric Vehicles in the U.K., the world’s largest manufacturer and industry leader of commercial electric vehicles. Smith is a privately held company owned by Private Investors Management, and the Tanfield Group Plc, based in the United Kingdom. Smith produces the Smith Newton – the world’s largest battery-electric-powered truck.

About Tanfield Group Plc: The Tanfield Group Plc is the world’s leading developer and manufacturer of road-going commercial electric vehicles and aerial work platforms. Tanfield is headquartered in Washington, Tyne & Wear, with operations in Europe, Scandinavia, North America, the Middle East, and Asia-Pacific and Africa. It has two main divisions:

Smith Electric Vehicles was founded in 1920 and acquired by Tanfield in October 2004. Following its acquisition, Smith Electric Vehicles is developing into a world leader in new technology electric vans and trucks with greatly enhanced performance, speed and range capabilities. This makes them attractive for all fleet operators in large towns, cities and closed industrial environments. For the first time, these fleet operators have economically viable, zero emission alternatives to using diesel vans and trucks. Smith Electric Vehicles has an unrivalled UK-wide service and support network, which already maintains over 5,000 vehicles for major fleet operators. www.smithelectricvehicles.com

Powered Access contains two of the world’s most established aerial work platform brands, UpRight Powered Access and Snorkel International. UpRight is the UK’s biggest manufacturer of self-propelled aerial work platforms (also known as “cherry-pickers”, “mobile elevating work platforms”, “aerial lifts”, etc). UpRight has assembly facilities in the UK and USA, with products sold through a strong network of over 200 independent, full-service distributors across Europe, Scandinavia, the Middle East and Asia-Pacific regions. Snorkel, acquired in August 2007, has significant manufacturing capabilities along with strong sales and distribution, in North America and Australia. Tanfield has successfully extended its powered access product range and is now one of only three “full line” aerial lift manufacturers to have a significant global footprint in both the North America and EMEA regions, in what is a $7bn market. www.upright.com / www.snorkellift.com

40MPG.org Founder and Civil Society Institute President and Founder Pam Solo said: “We need to continue fostering innovations that can make U.S. cars even more fuel efficient. We applaud California and the other states that applied sufficient pressure on greenhouse gas controls to bring reluctant automakers to the bargaining table. The Obama White House also deserves credit for finding a way to get these parties to agree on a timetable that actually accelerates progress in the United States to achieving greater energy efficiency. This is a historic and a great beginning for recovering America’s position in the global auto marketplace.”

Ailis Aaron Wolf, spokesperson for 40MPG.org, said: “Every bit of additional fuel efficiency is welcome for U.S. vehicles. Anyone who thinks that oil prices are going to remain at relatively low levels for the long term is fooling themselves. When gas pump prices jump again above $3 and $4 dollars, as experts predict that they will, Americans will once again flock to the most energy efficient vehicles available. U.S. auto companies need to do better if they want to remain competitive in an increasingly tough and competitive global marketplace. Hopefully, the new MPG deal with help to create a culture of innovation and experimentation that will help put the U.S. auto industry back on top.”

In a June 2007 report, the nonprofit 40MPG.org project of the Civil Society Institute noted that Japan is moving to the equivalent of 48 MPG by 2010, the European Union is shooting for about 44 MPG currently and China is requiring the equivalent today of 37 MPG. Automotive News reported nearly two years ago that Japan already has in place fleet economy rules equal to more than 45 MPG. In February 2007, 40MPG.org issued a report showing that there are more than 100 vehicle makes for sale around the world – but not in the United States — that get combined gas mileage of 40MPG or better. This figure, which included a number of clean diesels, appears to have changed very little in recent years.

ABOUT THE GROUPS

Founded in 2006, 40MPG.org (http://www.40MPG.org) is a project of the nonprofit and nonpartisan Civil Society Institute (http://www.CivilSocietyInstitute.org). The nonprofit and nonpartisan Civil Society Institute (http://www.CivilSocietyInstitute.org) is a think tank that serves as a catalyst for change by creating problem-solving interactions among people, and between communities, government and business that can help to improve society. Since 2003, CSI has conducted more than 20 major surveys and reports on energy and auto issues, including vehicle fuel-efficiency standards, consumer demand for hybrids/other highly-fuel efficient vehicles, global warming and renewable energy. In addition creating 40MPG.org and the Hybrid Owners of America (http://www.HybridOwnersofAmerica.org), CSI is a co-convener of TheCLEAN.org.

TheClean.org (http://www.TheCLEAN.org) is a collaborative movement of 130 state and local organizations and individuals who will encourage and support policy makers at all levels of government to implement new energy policies. The Civil Society Institute worked with grassroots organizations across the United States to help organize the TheClean.org campaign.

However, while current low emissions cars have been boxy, awkward, and slow-moving, a new wave of low emissions sports cars will allow buyers to drive cleanly, cheaply, and with style.

The Cars

In the years to come, eco-friendly consumers will have a wide variety of eye-catching cars to choose from. One stunning example is the 2010 Bentley Continental Supersports, which goes from 0 to 60 mph in only 3.7 seconds. With a top speed of 204 mph, this sleek sports car also emits 70% less carbon dioxide by using bio-fuel. Another low-emission study model is the lightweight Honda OSM, or Open Study Model, which uses efficient engine technology for lower exhaust emissions, coupled with an aerodynamic design created for maximum speed. A third exciting competitor is the VW BlueSport Concept roadster, which weighs only 2600 lbs, and emits just 113g/km in harmful CO2 gases.

But along with updated designs and speed capabilities, other exciting conceptual breakthroughs are also being made. For example, take the new Lotus Eco Elise project, which presented a sports car built entirely of composite materials, solar panels, wool, and sustainable plant materials. Another tantalizing possibility is the Cadillac Converj Concept, which is appropriately being referred to as the “Cadillac” of electric cars. While this sports car will include the premium bells and whistles that are the hallmark of the Cadillac name, it also boasts an innovative new electric propulsion technology called “Voltec.” With this revolutionary technology, the Converj automatically switches to “extended-range” mode when the car battery’s energy is drained. In this second level of operation, the engine-generator ensures a constant supply of power for hundreds of miles, so the driver can comfortably reach a plug-in station before any threat of break down.

Savings on Auto Insurance

While the above cars will definitely carry a sports car price, auto insurance rates for low emissions sports cars may cost significantly less than those of standard gas-guzzling sports cars. Currently, as a nice incentive for driving “green,” certain insurance companies now offer clean emissions drivers with a 10% discount on auto insurance. Also, because hybrid owners have been estimated to be lower risk drivers, these reduced premiums are given as a sort of reward to the insured.

With super slick designs and powerful engines, as well as reduced costs for gas and auto insurance, low emissions sports cars appear to be the sensible option for stylish eco-friendly drivers.

The Climate Watch companies include influential coal companies, oil and power producers and other businesses that investors believe are not adequately dealing with climate-related business impacts, whether from physical changes, emerging climate regulations or growing global demand for low-carbon technologies and services. Two of the oil companies were targeted for extensive investments in Canada’s oil sands region, where carbon-intensive extraction technologies are being used to produce more than one million barrels of oil each day.

The resolutions are among a record 63 global warming resolutions filed with 56 U.S. companies and one Canadian company as part of the 2009 proxy season. The resolutions, seeking greater disclosure from companies on their financial exposure and response strategies to climate-related business trends, were filed by some of the nation’s largest public pension funds, as well as labor, foundation, religious and other institutional shareholders, who collectively manage more than $1.9 trillion in assets. The shareholder filings are coordinated by the Ceres investor coalition and the Interfaith Center on Corporate Responsibility (ICCR), a group of faith-based investors.

The Climate Watch companies include: Electric Power: Southern; Coal: Massey Energy and Consol Energy; Oil & Gas: Ultra Petroleum, ExxonMobil, Chevron, and *Canadian Natural Resources; Automotive: General Motors; and Home building: Standard Pacific.

* Resolutions were filed in previous years, but not in 2009. See explanation below in paragraph on the company.

“Companies in every industry, especially energy sectors, must assess and mitigate climate change risks,” said New York City Comptroller William Thompson Jr., whose office oversees $115 billion in pension fund assets and filed resolutions with electric power and coal companies. “Investors require full and transparent disclosure of the actions companies are taking to address the risks and opportunities of climate change, so that they can make informed investment decisions.”

“These climate watch companies are ignoring a major business trend that will influence their competitive positioning for years to come,” added Mindy S. Lubber, president of Ceres, a coalition of investors and environmental groups. “Given the political shift in Washington, all companies should be minimizing climate risks and maximizing clean energy opportunities. Companies that miss this trend are setting themselves up to fail in the 21st century low-carbon economy.”

Investors announcing the Climate Watch List said the ongoing economic recession should not delay substantive business efforts to address rising global temperatures.

“Despite the unrelenting poor economic news, we know that taking care of our environment is also taking care of the world’s economy,” said Jack Ehnes, Chief Executive Officer of the California State Teachers’ Retirement System (CalSTRS), the nation’s second largest public pension fund which own shares in virtually all of the companies targeted with shareholder resolutions. “We can’t be distracted by short-term concerns at the expense of meaningful action to mitigate the impacts of climate change.”

The Climate Watch List includes two oil companies, Canadian Natural Resources Ltd. and Chevron, for their extensive involvement in Canada’s oil sands extraction project, a carbon-intensive undertaking that has attracted billions of dollars of investment and will be a key topic during President Obama’s visit tomorrow with Canada’s Prime Minister in Ottawa.

“Extraction of oil from oil sands is a risky proposition and will likely in the long term be a disaster for both investors and inhabitants of an increasingly warming planet,” said Margaret Weber, ICCR Board Chair and Adrian Dominican Sisters Coordinator of Corporate Responsibility. “Faith-based investors are mindful of the high externalized costs of oil sands to indigenous communities, to the boreal forest, to watersheds and to our children.”

The Climate Watch companies are as follows:

* Chevron: Chevron is named to the Climate Watch List for its extensive investments in Alberta, Canada’s oil sands, and for resisting shareholder requests to disclose potential financial risks associated with the carbon-intensive project that encompasses millions of acres. Greenhouse gas emissions associated with oil sands development is three times higher than conventional oil extraction and refining according to the investors. Chevron owns 20 percent of a major oil sands extraction effort, the Athabasca Oil Sands Project, and is the operator at a large proposed oil sands project at Ells River, yet its public disclosure of potential financial exposure from climate regulations and other project risks pales in comparison to Shell and Suncor. The resolution outlines key risks from the project and asks that the company report on environmental damage resulting from its expanding oil sands operation. (Green Century contact: Emily Stone, 617-482-0800, and Ceres contact: Andrew Logan,
202-746-0661)

* CONSOL Energy: Given that coal combustion accounts for about one-third of all greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the U.S. and given the growing regulatory momentum to reduce emissions from power plants, the New York City Pension Funds filed a resolution with the Pittsburgh-based company requesting a report on how the company is responding to growing regulatory and competitive pressure to significantly reduce GHG emissions. CONSOL is the nation’s largest bituminous coal producer. (NYC Comptroller Contact: Jeff Simmons, 212-669-2636)

* ExxonMobil: ExxonMobil has been unresponsive to investor requests for a decade regarding strategies intended to meet growing demand for diversified clean energy sources. Four climate resolutions filed this year request that: the board develop comprehensive GHG emission reduction goals: that it report on the impact of climate change on emerging markets and on U.S. leadership in achieving energy independence; and that it disclose its plans for developing for renewable energy. The resolutions were filed by the: Tri-State Coalition for Responsible Investment, Jessie Smith Noyes Foundation and Reynolds Foundation, Province of St. Joseph of the Capuchin Order, and Neva Goodwin. (Tri-State Coalition Contact: Pat Daly, 973-509-8800)

* General Motors: Investors have a long, unsuccessful history of filing shareholder resolutions with General Motors and engaging with the company on climate-related business strategies. The resolution filed by the Tri-State Coalition for Responsible Investment asks General Motors to set GHG reduction goals from its products and operations, as other U.S. and foreign automakers have already done. The resolution cites GM’s ongoing litigation to stop California’s clean car standards from being adopted and its lackluster response compared to Ford in developing a business model that accounts for climate change. (Tri-State Coalition Contact: Pat Daly, 973-509-8800)

* Massey Energy: The Virginia-based coal company continues to resist shareholder resolutions requesting the company to develop and disclose a strategy for responding to climate change. Thirty percent of shareholders voted in favor of the resolution last year. Given that coal combustion accounts for about one-third of all GHG emissions in the U.S., the New York City Pension Funds filed a resolution, for the third consecutive year, requesting a report on how the company is responding to growing regulatory and competitive pressure to reduce GHG emissions. Massey is the nation’s 4th largest coal producer. (NYC Comptroller Contact: Jeff Simmons, 212-669-2636)

* Standard Pacific: Unlike other leading homebuilders, Standard Pacific has opposed shareholder requests the past three years to disclose its strategies and performance on energy efficiency and other climate-related issues. The resolution filed by the Nathan Cummings Foundation asks the CA-based homebuilder to adopt quantitative goals for boosting energy efficiency and reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from its products and operations. Homebuilders have an important role in mitigating climate change because 40 percent of GHGs come from building energy use, and building energy efficiency is one of the most cost effective means of reducing global warming pollution. (Nathan Cummings Foundation Contact: Lance Lindbloom, 212-787-7300, and Ceres contact: Betsy Boyle, Ceres 617-247-0700 X143;)

* Canadian Natural Resources Ltd: One of the largest and most established producers currently active in Canada’s oil sands, the Calgary-based company has refused to date to meet with investors on the issue of climate change, and, unlike other oil companies, it has not made any renewable energy investments. Ethical Funds filed a resolution with Canadian Natural Resources in 2007 requesting that it disclose its climate risks, but the company has not responded to the resolution. CNQ is the only oil company opposing the recommendations of the Government of Alberta’s Cumulative Environmental Management Association Multi-stakeholder process. (http://www.cemaonline.ca/ ) (Ethical Funds Contact: Robert Walker, 604-714-3833)

* Southern: The nation’s largest electric power producer, which emits more than 160 million tons of CO2 emissions a year, has balked at shareholder resolutions the past several years asking it to set GHG reduction targets. In filing the resolution, the Sisters of Charity of St. Elizabeth cited the company for its adequate climate risk disclosure, but weak action to mitigate that exposure by reducing GHG emissions. Thirty-seven percent of the company’s industry peers, including American Electric Power, Duke Energy and Exelon, disclosed absolute GHG reductions targets in the Carbon Disclosure Project’s most recent annual survey released in 2008. Atlanta-based Southern opposes mandatory federal limits to reduce GHG emissions. (Sisters of Charity of St. Elizabeth, NJ contact: Sr. Barbara Aires, 973-290-5402)

* Ultra Petroleum: Houston-based Ultra has resisted shareholder requests the past three years to disclose its strategies for addressing climate change, despite relatively strong shareholder voting support. While Ultra has a relatively small market capitalization (about $5 billion), its resistance to acknowledging climate change risks puts it out of step with its peers. The resolution filed by the Nathan Cummings Foundation asks the company to report on its plans to address climate change. (Nathan Cummings Foundation Contact: Lance Lindbloom, 212-787-7300, Ceres contact: Andrew Logan, 202-746-0661)

In addition to the Climate Watch companies, investors filed resolutions with the following other businesses. The list of investors filing resolutions with each of the companies can be found at http://www.ceres.org/resolutions or http://www.iccr.org.

Auto/Transportation: Avis/Budget, Hertz

Banks: Ameriprise, Citigroup, Fifth Third Bancorp, State Street

Building and Big Box Companies: Bed, Bath & Beyond, Boston Properties, General Growth, Home Depot, Las Vegas Sands, Lennar, Pulte Homes, Ryland

Coal: Alpha Natural Resources, Foundation Coal, International Coal

Electric Power: Dominion, Dynegy, Idacorp, Mirant, NV Energy (formerly Sierra Pacific)

Forestry: International Paper, Meredith, RR Donnelly

Oil & Gas: ConocoPhillips, Haliburton, Noble Energy, Oneok, Range Resources, South Jersey Industries, Spectra

Other S&P 500 Companies: Apple, Aqua America, Assurant, Broadcom, Denbury Resources, Dover Corporation, Flowserve, Kadant, MetLife, Middleby, Novell, SanDisk, Southwest Airlines, St. Jude, Stryker, Valmont.

Canadian Companies: Great-West Life & Annuity

In addition to the 63 climate resolutions, approximately 14 other resolutions were filed (or are likely to be filed) asking companies to provide a sustainability report to investors, which should include information about how the company is managing climate risk, among other social, environmental and governance issues. In total, there are approximately 30 sustainability resolutions expected to be filed this year — 16 of the resolutions were sufficiently focused on climate change to be included in the number of climate resolutions filed. More information about these resolutions is available from Rob Berridge at Ceres, 617-247-0700 x117 (berridge@ceres.org).

President Obama’s quick action, taken after less than one full week in office, was hailed by Alliance President Kateri Callahan. She, along with Alliance Director of Policy Lowell Ungar and other environmental and efficiency leaders from across the country, were invited to the White House to witness what appears to be a paradigm shift in the federal government’s approach to energy and environmental policy and a new commitment to achieving the full potential of energy efficiency in order to improve our nation’s energy security.

“President Obama is fulfilling his campaign promise to create a clean energy economy with incredible speed and determination of purpose,” said Callahan. She added, “He is moving full-steam-ahead on energy efficiency, not despite but because of the fragile state of the economy.”

President Obama signed memoranda at a White House ceremony today directing the Transportation Department to establish higher fuel economy standards for vehicles by model year 2011 and directing the Environmental Protection Agency to reconsider the bid by California and 13 other states to set tailpipe carbon dioxide emission standards that also would require greater fuel economy.

In his statement, Obama also confirmed his intent to weatherize 2 million homes over the next two years; make significant energy efficiency upgrades to 75 percent of federal buildings, saving taxpayers $2 billion in avoided energy costs; double the country’s renewable energy resource base; and create nearly 500,000 new “green jobs.”

President Obama stated clearly and forcefully that today’s action is but the first salvo in what he described as a “steady, focused, and pragmatic approach” to a new energy future.

The Alliance to Save Energy is a coalition of prominent business, government, environmental, and consumer leaders who promote the efficient and clean use of energy worldwide to benefit consumers, the environment, economy, and national security.

While these choices come with obvious benefits – unprocessed food is healthier, and hybrids, often come with Federal tax incentives (at least for the first several hundred purchased in a given state and year), one benefit that is lesser known is that hybrid vehicles also come with reduced insurance rates.

Why Offer Discounts for Hybrids?

Everything we know about how insurance premiums are calculated – cost of repair, number of vehicles in operation, safety rating histories – would seem to point to insurance for hybrid vehicles being more expensive than that for traditional gas-only cars, rather than less, so why are insurers offering discounts to hybrid drivers?

Partly, this is because the drivers fall into the category of “preferred drivers,” the consumers who would be earning discounts in any case. Typically, hybrid drivers meet the following criteria:

• Excellent credit: Hybrid drivers tend to have higher credit scores, and be more aware of how credit works. Insurance companies in many states use credit scores to set premiums, and even where this is disallowed, they still look upon a client with good credit as a better risk.
• Marital status: Hybrid drivers are more likely than not to be in stable, committed relationships. This often earns a discount on insurance.
• Maturity: The average hybrid driver is between 41 and 60 years old, and equally likely to be male or female. As a group, this demographic is the least likely to be in accidents.
• Hybrid vehicles themselves: These cars have smaller engines, and tend to have a full complement of safety features, which two things net discounts even on gasoline-powered vehicles.

What this all means is that the average hybrid owner is a responsible adult who makes their insurance payments on time, can meet deductibles in the rare case that they make a claim, and drives safely – just the kind of consumer who should be rewarded with lower rates and company loyalty.

So How Big Are these Discounts, Anyway?
The details vary widely between insurance carriers and across state lines, but discounts are usually fairly significant.

Farmers Insurance offers a discount of 5% on your car insurance quote for any vehicle that uses alternative fuel, including ethanol, and hybrid-electric cars, while Travelers offers a discount of up to 10% for hybrids.

Most other insurers offer discounts that range between those two numbers, but it’s important to be aware that such incentives and price breaks are often unadvertised so always, always ask about hybrid discounts when shopping for new insurance, or renewing your existing policy.

As well, remember that the discount for a hybrid car is just one applicable price break you may qualify for. If you bundle your auto insurance and homeowners coverage with the same insurance carrier, you could turn the 5% hybrid discount into a break of 19% overall.

At this point in time, hybrid vehicles represent only about 1% of all registered vehicles on the road, but as the push to transition away from foreign oil, or fossil fuels at all, becomes stronger that number is likely to increase. Even car makers are jumping on the alternative fuel bandwagon, offering mild hybrid versions of their popular SUVs and minivans. What will happen when hybrids are more frequent? Will these discounts go away? Some might, but those which are tied to the customer, rather than the car, will likely remain.

“The $1,300 tax credit provides an even greater value to the upcoming Jetta TDI sedan and SportWagen,” said Mark Barnes, COO, Volkswagen of America, Inc. “Our clean diesel vehicles offer consumers the fuel efficiency that they’re looking for while providing power, utility, performance, safety and excellent value.”

Jetta TDI sedan and SportWagen showcase the best of both worlds, an alternative fuel vehicle with no compromises. Fuel efficiency, performance and convenience come standard with the 50-state compliant Jetta TDI sedan and SportWagen models, which meet the most stringent emissions standards in California. Vehicles are currently available to test drive at local Volkswagen dealers, both models will be available for sale this August.

While the Environmental Protection Agency estimates the Jetta TDI at an economical 29 mpg city and 40 mpg highway, Volkswagen went a step further to show real world fuel economy of the Jetta TDI. Leading third-party certifier, AMCI, tested the Jetta TDI and found it performed 24 percent better in real world conditions, achieving 38 mpg in the city and 44 mpg on the highway.*

The Jetta TDI models come standard with Volkswagen’s Prevent and Preserve Safety System, consisting of numerous standard safety features. Both the Jetta TDI sedan and SportWagen include six airbags, with optional rear side airbags, and like all 2009 model year Volkswagens, Jetta TDIs also feature standard Electronic Stabilization Program (ESP) for added safety.
Also standard for 2009 is Volkswagen’s Carefree Maintenance Program, with this program there are no charges for the scheduled maintenance described in the vehicle’s maintenance booklet for the length of the New Vehicle Limited Warranty — three years or 36,000 miles, whichever occurs first.

Volkswagen of America, Inc.
Volkswagen of America, Inc. recently announced Electronic Stability Program (ESP) as standard equipment on all its 2009 vehicles. As a result, Volkswagen is one of the only original equipment manufacturers to offer an electronic stability control system on their entire product line — ahead of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) deadline requiring vehicles in the 2012 model year to include stability control systems. Volkswagen’s ESP technology works in conjunction with anti-lock brakes and helps reduce loss of control and rollovers to avoid crashes. NHTSA predicts nearly 10,000 lives could be saved each year if automakers included stability systems as standard equipment.

Founded in 1955, Volkswagen of America, Inc. is headquartered in Herndon, Va. It is a subsidiary of Volkswagen AG, headquartered in Wolfsburg, Germany. Volkswagen is one of the world’s largest producers of passenger cars and Europe’s largest automaker. Volkswagen sells the Rabbit, New Beetle, New Beetle convertible, GTI, Jetta, GLI, Passat, Passat wagon, Eos, Tiguan and Touareg through approximately 600 independent U.S. dealers. Visit Volkswagen of America online at vw.com.
*29 city / 40 highway EPA estimates. 38 city / 44 highway real world fuel economy based on AMCI testing. Your mileage may vary. For more information on Volkswagen, go to www.vw.com.

ibuyeco, a new eco-friendly car insurance scheme that will offset 100% of customers’ CO2 emissions for the duration of their policy and help make a contribution towards tackling global climate change.

ibuyeco is one of the first car insurance products to help customers’ offset 100% of car emissions from their driving. Consumers choosing the online eco-friendly car insurance scheme will no longer have to pay an additional premium to offset their car’s CO2 emissions for the duration of their insurance policy. The offset fee will now be funded by the business at no extra cost to the consumer.

Payments are calculated based on the type of vehicle and the estimated mileage details provided by customers. Emissions are calculated using guidelines from several key groups and bodies, including DEFRA (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs); whose guidelines are used by other government departments when appraising their policies.

Making your car journey carbon neutral by offsetting the emissions your vehicle produces helps balance the impact your driving is having on the environment. CO2 = Carbon Dioxide – a major greenhouse gas – naturally present in the atmosphere at low levels, but on the increase due mainly to the use of fossil fuels. Cars are one of the main producers of the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide (CO2) contributing to climate change. The average family car can produce over 2 tonnes per year.

What is carbon offsetting? Together with ibuyeco partners, they made it easy for you to balance the annual emissions your vehicle produces by investing money to projects which save the equivalent amount elsewhere.

For every 1kg of your annual emissions produced by your vehicles driving each year, ibuyeco arranges for 1kg to be saved by a climate friendly project somewhere else in the world – one balancing the other to make your driving carbon neutral.

As they say: Save money and do your bit to save the planet. ibuyeco are definitely pushing the envelope in the financial sector by recognizing the need for an environmentally friendly insurer and taking it upon themselves to pioneer the field.