The other day, thanks to this diary by A Siegel, I played around on the ecodrivingusa.com site.
Besides learning that I really stink at video games that require using the arrow keys to move an object through a maze (virtual road test), I found out that you can get a free green driving checkup at dealerships around the country. So I looked around the site some more, but couldn't find any links to find out which dealerships were providing the free checkups.
Not one to give up easily, I emailed the following to their "info@" email address:
Hi,
How can people find out which dealers are doing green checkups? I know several people who might be interested in promoting the program locally, but your site provides no information about how people can find out.
Sincerely,
[me]
Today, I got a reply.
Actually, I got three replies - one from ecodrivingusa, and one from the National Automobile Dealers Association (of NADA bluebook fame), and another from ecodrivingusa.com telling me to expect an email from NADA.
Cool!
I'm used to "info@whatever" web site contact emails disappearing into the ether without so much as an auto-reply, so getting 3 real emails tells me one thing: they actually take this program seriously.
All 3 emails directed me to the greendrivingusa.com web site. So, off I went to the greendrivingusa.com, clicked the link for the dealer locator, and found that there are several dealers in little ol' Vermont that will do free checkups. Take a look at greendrivingusa.com's locator page to find a dealer near you.
This weekend I'll call the Chevy dealer that's listed near me and see if they can "do" checkups on Hondas. If not, I'll try a non-affiliated used car dealer not too far away, and if time permits, write up what happens.
The site also has a great little chart on the FAQs page, in response to the question "What are the specific benefits of driving sensibly and maintaining my vehicle?". Take a look!
It may be an industry attempt at greenwashing, but at least it's one that will make a difference if people use it.