ALEXANDRIA, VA - The American Automotive Leasing Association (AALA) announced earlier this month it has established a working accord with Natural Gas Vehicles for America (NGVAmerica) and UPS to help advance opportunities and markets for natural gas and other alternative fuel vehicles. Among other items addressed, signatories to the accord agree:  (1) that government mandates requiring private sector fleets to acquire alternative-fueled vehicles are blunt policy instruments that undermine such cooperative efforts, and (2) to oppose any legislative or regulatory proposal that would mandate private sector fleet acquisition of alternative-fueled vehicles.

The accord is the result of a two-year effort between AALA, NGVAmerica, and UPS to improve on mutually desired goals. 

"This development will add significantly to AALA's legislative efforts with regard to incentives, as well as other energy and environment related initiatives that are important to the commercial automotive fleet leasing industry," said Pamela Sederholm, AALA executive director.  

"The membership of AALA, as well as UPS, are extraordinarily influential in the commercial vehicle market," said Richard Kolodziej, president of NGVAmerica.  "We are very excited about working closely with AALA and UPS on federal policies that will encourage the purchase and use of natural gas vehicles."

Robert Hall, director of Maintenance and engineering for UPS added, "This agreement clarifies and underscores the need for viable, long-term solutions to meet America's future transportation energy requirements.  UPS is proud to work with AALA and NGVAmerica to further policies that positively impact sustainability initiatives."