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September 18, 2007
Washington, DC – Newly released sales figures from R.L. Polk reveal that an increased number of alternative fuel automobiles rolled off dealer lots in the second quarter of 2007.
Between April and June of this year, nearly 490,000 AFAs were sold nationwide, an increase of 27 percent over the same period last year, bringing the total number of AFAs to nearly 11.5 million on American roads.
Sales of E-85 capable vehicles were up almost two percent from 266,859 from the first quarter of 2007 to 272,109, while sales of hybrid vehicles showed a significant increase, up about 48 percent from 74,056 to 109,716. Sales of clean diesel vehicles also grew from 93,012 to 108,044—more than a 16 percent increase.
“We are seeing the trend in increased sales of AFAs not only in comparison to the first quarter of 2007, but also in comparison to the first two quarters of 2006. The 2007 second quarter sales figures show an increase of 31 percent in sales of AFAs over the first half of 2006.
Higher gas prices and an increasing availability of a variety of models of AFAs for sale are likely drivers of this upward trend,” said Dave McCurdy, president and CEO of the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers. “Yet, even though more AFAs are being sold, we still need more gas stations to offer biofuels, such as ethanol and biodiesel.”
Sixty models of AFAs are currently available and more are in development, including hybrid-electric, clean diesel, ethanol capable and others. Advanced vehicles need advanced fuels, including ultra low sulfur diesel, E85 ethanol, bio-diesel, hydrogen and electricity, all of which will play increasingly important roles as AFA sales continue to increase.
Posted by Peter C. T. Elsworth 
at 11:06 AM to Alternative fuels
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