Carper touts energy-efficient vehicles

With the price of oil continuing to rise, U.S. Sen. Tom Carper (D-Del.) recently showcased a new energy-efficient vehicle that he said would reduce pollution and help save Delawareans money at the gas pump.

Carper test-drove the Chevrolet Volt, an American-made electric vehicle, at I.G. Burton in Milford. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, the Chevrolet Volt receives an estimated 93 miles per gallon equivalent for the first 35 miles, running on the electric battery, and an estimated 37 miles per gallon while running on gas for another 344 miles.

“Rising gas prices have put a strain on Delaware families and businesses, forcing them to pay more at the pump,” said Carper. “We have the innovation and ability to address these energy challenges, and with the right incentives we can take the adversity we’re facing and turn it into an opportunity.

“Just a few years ago, I worked with my colleagues in Congress to push for stronger fuel economy standards – known as CAFE standards – for our vehicles and since then we’ve seen automakers respond to this challenge with a number of more energy efficient vehicle options for consumers,” continued Carper.

As chairman of the Senate Subcommittee on Clean Air and Nuclear Safety, Carper has advocated for comprehensive clean energy legislation to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and foreign oil consumption, as well as to improve the economy.

In 2007, Carper played a role in negotiating the first increase in Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards in 32 years, as part of the Renewable Fuels, Consumer Protection, and Energy Efficiency Act. He recently joined 17 of his Senate colleagues in calling on the Department of Transportation and the Environmental Protection Agency to continue to pursue ambitious fuel-economy standards in their implementation of the increased CAFE standards.