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GREEN CHIP COMPANY
COCKTAIL FACT
Nearly 10% of Better World Club's members drive alternative fuel vehicles (as opposed to less than 1% of all American drivers).
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Want more from your auto club than just free maps?
The Bite:
Better World Club is the only socially responsible, eco-friendly roadside assistance and travel club in the US. Offering all the services of the conventional auto clubs with none of the car-related guilt, BWC'll fix your flat tire, offset your carbon use and get you a great deal on a hybrid rental, all at the same price as the big guys or less. Yes, free maps included.Company Background
Meet the only auto club around that actually charges a premium for owners of the top 3 gas-guzzling cars. Mitch Rofsky, President and CEO of Better World Club, got interested in socially responsible business while working for Ralph Nader (yep – you know the one). Then, Rofsky was approached by eco-minded friends who wanted the big auto clubs to care about issues like clean air and mass transit. Along with fellow former Cub Scout Todd Silberman, he saw an opportunity to compete with the big guys and founded BWC, which has been helping eco-minded drivers (and bikers) get where they need to go since 2002.Why Care?
- Top roadside assistance, using a network of local auto shops across the country.
- The only auto club to offer discounts to hybrid and alternative fuel car drivers - and surcharges on gas guzzlers!
- Has offset more than 10 million lbs of CO2 and other greenhouse gases.
- 1% of revenues are dedicated to environmental restoration and advocacy.
- Members get free maps and discounts on hybrid rental cars, green hotels and eco-travel.
- In most areas, membership is cheaper than AAA - if not, BWC will match their price. New members receive $40 in gas rebates just for signing up.
- Also inventor of the nation's only bicycle roadside assistance program.
- Biter exclusive: Join Better World Club now and receive 10% off.
Keeping It Real
When you call BWC's magic number for roadside assistance, don't expect to be towed by a biodiesel tow truck. Rofsky recognizes that they don't yet have the clout to get the individual auto shops and towing companies they use to go green. It's all a matter of time (and new members). Same goes for BWC travel discounts - they don't offer as many as AAA or AARP - but the fact that they give members the cheapest hybrid car rentals makes up for it.
The following was written by Erica, part of the crew at Better World Club
Last week, Jen told you how she liked to stick her tongue out at Hummer drivers.
While Jen's actions may put them in their place, there's a bigger issue involving Hummer drivers, no irony intended. We at Better World Club have been wondering whether the theory that guys who drive Hummers are trying to make up for certain shortcomings is true. If you drive a Hummer and are reading, we'd love to hear evidence to the contrary, but until we do we'll keep believing the stereotype!
Better World is the nation’s greener—and cooler—auto club. Like Jen and Heather, we try to take out work—but not ourselves—seriously. In addition to the Hummer issue, there are some more serious questions we're thinking about. Lately, the topic of convo that's been on everyone's lips at BWC:
Why is everybody thinking in such small terms when it comes to fuel economy?
The auto companies are patting themselves on the back for making a few cars that reach 30 mpg. The environmental groups act as if 40 mpg is utopian. But we’re on the verge of much higher numbers. Toyota says that they are going to add plug-ins to their hybrids in 2009. If so, we’re looking at 100 mpg, maybe more, if they do it right. What's the mpg necessary to get off imported oil? Certainly nothing as low as 30 or 40 mpg. But a higher mpg is achievable if consumers demand it. So we're all counting on you Biters - let the car manufacturers know what you're thinking - and let us know what you're thinking too. Just leave a comment or two in this blog - especially if you own a Hummer.
If you want more information on the effort to increase fuel mileage, click here.
PHOTO ALBUMS
Posted by: Greener GM | September 25, 2006 at 10:27 PM