Governor Quinn Recognizes I-GO Car Sharing and ComEd for Partnering to Green Illinois

From the Office of Governor Pat Quinn

CHICAGO – April 21, 2009. Governor Pat Quinn recognized I-GO Car Sharing and ComEd for their commitment to greening Illinois, during the Governor’s Green Expo in the James R. Thompson Center. Thanks to a donation from Commonwealth Edison, I-GO Car Sharing, a Chicago-based non-profit car sharing service, was able to purchase two plug-in hybrid electric vehicles for their fleet.

“As we celebrate Earth Week in Illinois, I want to salute I-GO Car Sharing and ComEd for recognizing the importance of making our state more green and sustainable” said Governor Quinn.

The converted 2009 Toyota Priuses can achieve a fuel economy in excess of 100 MPG through the 30- to 40-mile range of their fully charged plug-in batteries. Beyond this range, they achieve the fuel economy of a regular Prius. Overall, these plug-in hybrid electric vehicles reduce CO2 emissions by up to two-thirds in comparison to a regular Prius.

The I-GO Car Sharing service has cars at locations in more than 30 communities across Chicago, Evanston, and Oak Park. I-GO members have around-the-clock, smart-card access to low-emission, energy-efficient vehicles and do not have to pay for gas or insurance.

The event took place in conjunction with the Governor’s Green Expo, which hosted booths from numerous state agencies highlighting their environmentally friendly practices. The event seeks to inform the public about green practices in the state government and to provide ideas on how Illinois citizens can be more environmentally friendly in their own lives.

I-GO was established in 2002 by the Center for Neighborhood Technology, a non-profit organization whose mission is to invent and implement new strategies that make urban communities more livable and environmentally sustainable.

Governor Quinn was joined by Sharon Feigon, Chief Executive Officer of I-GO Car Sharing, and Fidel Marquez, Vice President, External Affairs, ComEd.

For more information on I-GO Car Sharing, please visit igocars.org.