Chevy official says manufacturer is pushing for alternative fuels in NASCAR
By Bob Pockrass - Associate Editor
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
Chevrolet is continuing its effort to have NASCAR make alternative fuels a priority.
“We’re pushing hard – we probably are the instigators a little bit,” Chevrolet Vice President Brett Dewar said during the Texas race weekend. “We believe in green racing, and we believe it is very appropriate to do that … We believe it’s time. We think racing can also be green, and we would like it to be biofuels.”
NASCAR executives have indicated that alternative fuels are a priority.
“They’re definitely receptive,” Dewar said about NASCAR. “They’ve got fuel providers, and it’s a transition, and I don’t want to mitigate the fact that some work has to get done.
“There’s modifications to the engines, but we do it to our vehicles today. … We have to reduce our dependency on petroleum products. We just have to. Economically we need to do it, and we’re willing to do it.”
General Motors is building cars that can be run on alternative fuels as well as electric vehicles.
“I get that question because I am an environmentalist, ‘What are you doing being the head of racing and also pushing the environment?’ ” Dewar said. “They can go together, and there is a place to do that.”
Dewar said the chairman of General Motors has been among those who has talked with NASCAR officials about alternative fuels.
Could that happen in two or three years?
“It could be sooner if we all rode together and worked together,” Dewar said. “It’s just a matter of bringing each other [together]. We’re going to meet with them soon to see how their development is coming. but we’re invited to this party.
“We’re proud to be a member with them from the beginning, General Motors with NASCAR, and we’re very supportive of that. We have to make good decisions.”
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