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I wrote to subaru re: their efforts in cleaner cars, and got this response. I found their comment about meeting zero landfill status interesting (although they include incineration in their definition of zero waste): Dear Ms. Perlmutter: Thank you for visiting the Subaru Web site and for your inquiry regarding our plans for a hybrid vehicle. As you may already know, Fuji Heavy Industries (FHI), our manufacturer, is currently developing alternative fuel engines for future environmental measures, focusing on a compact and mid-sized vehicle and aiming to commercialize it within the next few years. Lower fuel consumption and higher emissions standards are the goals of all current and future vehicles. Subaru is addressing the need for cleaner vehicle emissions today with PZEV (Partial Zero Emissions Vehicle) models. PZEV vehicles meet California's SULEV (Super-Ultra-Low-Emissions Vehicle) standard. The SULEV standard is 90-percent cleaner than the average 2003 model year vehicle. These vehicles have tight pollution controls and the burning of fuel is complete without sacrificing performance. These vehicles can be purchased in any State in the U.S. Not only does Fuji Heavy Industries recognize the importance of hybrid technology, they realize that clean air is just one component of a clean environment. You might be interested to know that the Subaru of Indiana Automotive (SIA) plant in Lafayette, Indiana has worked hard to attain 'zero landfill' status. In doing so, it has become the first auto-manufacturing plant in the country to recycle or re-use all of the waste that it generates. The paint sludge that had previously been thrown away is now dried to a powder and shipped to a plastics manufacturer, which uses it in parking lot bumpers and guardrails. Even the plantâs burned-out fluorescent light tubes are ground up and sent to a company that uses the glass in reflective striping for highways. The small amount of waste that the plant generates is sent to an incinerator where it helps to produce steam used to heat some of Indianapolis' downtown buildings. There are plans in the works to reduce even this minor amount of refuse. In the meantime, you may want to consider that many of our Subaru vehicles are competitive in fuel economy to some of our hybrid competitors. For example, Subaru Forester vs. Ford Escape Hybrid. They are both small SUVs that differ by only 2 miles per gallon, however, the Forester comes in at over $2,700 less than the Escape Hybrid front-wheel drive. It would take you over eight years of driving the Escape to make up for the price difference. Hybrids save gas, but do not necessarily save you money. We appreciate that you took the time to inquire about our vehicles. We hope that this information gives you more insight about our hybrid and our environmental efforts. Please feel free to re-contact us in the future for updated information. Sincerely, Samir Hasan Subaru of America, Inc. Customer/Dealer Services Department ----------------------------------------------------------- YOUR ORIGINAL MAIL: I own a 1995 subaru legacy wagon which I absolutely love. But it is time to start thinking about buying a new car. One of my big criteria is how the vehicle impacts the environment. I know that Subaru is planning to come out with a hybrid in 2008, but I am not sure my car will last that long. I am interested in knowing a) if your California cars meet stricter emission requirements than those found in other states and, if so b) is there a way to get a car that meets CA standards in MA. and c) are there any technologies subaru has or is working on, that will be available in the very near future, that i should be aware of. In looking at this website (http://www.ucsusa.org/clean_vehicles/cars_pickups_suvs/technologies-to-redu ce-vehicle-greenhouse-gases.html) I see Subaru is not listed as having greenhouse gas emission savings technologies-- I'm curious why this is and if this is going to change. As I said, I love my subaru and hope to get another. But I also want a car that is less harmful to the environment. I know loads of subaru owners who feel the same way. Please let me know what environmental technologies you have now, or will have within a year, that could make me feel good about buying a new subaru. Thank you. First name: Amy Last name: Perlmutter --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "GreenYes" group. To post to this group, send email to GreenYes@no.address To unsubscribe from this group, send email to GreenYes-unsubscribe@no.address For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/GreenYes -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~--- |
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