Environmental Defense today hailed the release of the new 2003 Honda Civic Hybrid which, according to the company, for the first time offers consumers the choice to purchase a version of the popular car that combines an electric motor and gasoline engine to increase fuel efficiency and reduce harmful vehicle pollution. "The Civic Hybrid combines state-of-the-art technology and gas saving features to deliver much better environmental performance than the conventional version," said Kevin Mills, director of Environmental Defense's Pollution Prevention Alliance. "And with its broad consumer appeal, this new version of the Civic will help bring greener hybrid vehicles to Main Street, U.S.A." "Making the fuel efficient technology of the Civic Hybrid widely available to consumers is a heartening answer to America's growing appetite for oil," Mills said. "Over 100,000 people have signed our Clean Car Campaign pledge committing to buy the greenest vehicle which meets their needs. These consumers want more vehicle choices like the Civic Hybrid and Toyota Prius, that are 50 percent more fuel-efficient than the average vehicle in their class and produce far less air pollution."

Environmental Defense is a founding member of the Clean Car Campaign, a coalition of organizations working to expand market choices for environmentally conscious car buyers (www.cleancarcampaign.org).

"Consumers who shop with the environment in mind will find that the Civic Hybrid's combination of terrific fuel economy and ultra-low tailpipe emissions make it one of the most environmentally friendly choices on the market today," said Environmental Defense senior fellow John DeCicco. "The new Civic Hybrid delivers 30 percent better gas mileage than a conventional Civic, which is already one of the more fuel-efficient cars on the road," DeCicco said. "If that type of improved efficiency could be applied to all of America's cars and light trucks, the result would be a substantial cut in global warming pollution and an estimated savings of 1.8 million barrels of oil per day." "The launch of the Civic Hybrid is an important step forward in the marketability of next-generation automobiles," said Mills. "Instead of occupying a small niche, the Civic Hybrid should appeal to a much broader market. The result will be affordable and widespread benefits for both national energy security and environmental protection." Environmental Defense, a national nonprofit organization based in New York, represents more than 300,000 members. Since 1967 they claim to have linked science, economics, and law to create innovative, equitable, and cost-effective solutions to the most urgent environmental problems. For more information, visit www.environmentaldefense.org.