Clean, Green Machines

In the market for a new car? Then you might want to check out "The Greenest Vehicles of 2007," a list released this week by the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy. The top scorers:

1. Honda Civic GX
2. Toyota Prius
3. Honda Civic Hybrid
4. Nissan Altima Hybrid
5. Toyota Yaris
6. Toyota Corolla
7. Toyota Camry Hybrid
8. Honda Fit
9. Kia Rio / Rio 5
10. Hyundai Accent
11. Hyundai Elantra
12. Honda Civic

The ACEEE also publishes a "Meanest Vehicles" list of unrepentant gas-guzzlers. Lincoln Navigator and Lamborghini Murcielago, we're looking at you...

Comments

[John Chrystal]

On your list of 12 greenest cars, what happened to the Honda Insight? I've had one for 7 years and have averaged about 60 miles to the gallon. Best car I have ever owned and certainly the best commuter car ever!

[Jennifer Hattam]

Hi John,

Thanks for your comment. We didn't actually put together the list, but I poked around a bit on the ACEEE site and found the answer. As they explain in their "Market Trends" section,

"This year sees a number of changes to the nameplates on the Greenest Vehicles list. Honda's hybrid-electric Insight, a perennial top-scoring model since its debut in model year 2000, was discontinued last year, while a host of new clean-and-efficient models for 2007 such as the Honda Fit, Nissan Altima Hybrid, Toyota Camry Hybrid and Toyota Yaris, joined the pack."

http://www.greenercars.com/gctext.html

According to Honda's website, the Insight "is still available as a Honda Certified Used vehicle."

http://automobiles.honda.com/models/model_overview.asp?ModelName=Insight

Hope that answers your question.

[Carlos Rymer]

It is good to note that GM and Ford are not on that list. Recently, we've heard reports about record losses for both companies. If they don't begin to sacrifice for super-efficient cars, they simply won't catch up to Toyota and Honda and will unfortunately go bankrupt.

[Litz]

I can't believe a Hummer didn't make your "Meanest" list!!! Those things make my blood boil every time I see one on the road -- which around where I live is A LOT!

[Joanne Margiotta]

Are there any 4 wheel drive Green Cars? I would like to buy a green car but I would also still like to have 4 wheel drive. Thank you.

[Jennifer]

Why is the Honda Civic GX rated the highest when it doesn't get the best (by far) MPG? I am assuming it has something to do with compressed natural gas, but I'm not familiar with that. Can you explain? Also, how easy is it to refuel those vehicles? I honestly had never heard of CNG cars.

[biodiesel]

Why no mention of VW's and others ability to be run on biodiesel or straight veggie oil?

Even blending a small percentage greatly curbs NO2 and other emissions, plus makes the TDI's most efficient.

My Jetta TDI gets 40-42 in town and 50+ mpg on the highway. Yet, I can't get the clean air sticker to go w/ the hybrids in the HOV lane. Compared to Europe, especially Germany, this country is WAY behind in biofuel technology. Ultra low sulfer diesel (ULSD) is now mandated in the US, which helps reduce emissions, and the modern TDI's are quite cleaner to begin with. I think hybrids are a red herring. Where are all those batteries going to wind up when they expire? Diesels can run on a wide range of fuels, some without modification, so we are ready for oil shortages. What are hybrids going to run on? Auto makers ought to move in the direction of diesel hybrids instead of continuing to rely on regular gasoline. I think I heard one of the Japanese companies is moving toward that (Nissan or Honda?).

[Colin]

Re SUVs -- there is the Ford Escape Hybrid, which Sierra Club earlier endorsed.

As for the rankings -- what is the criteria? Mileage alone? Isn't diesel better for CO2 emissions? I'm uncomfortable about conclusions without seeing the criteria as well.

[Joel P.]

My opinion is that this list holds no weight, as it does not include biodiesel vehicles (or am I missing something?).

ACEEE lists no diesel vehicles and in their reason why maintains that diesels are still not proven to be clean cars.

I would argue, however, that a diesel vehicle running on 100% biodiesel is significantly better for the environment than most gasoline powered cars, and many hybrids for that matter (given that a number of hybrids are SUVs and also noting that the source of 98% of electrical generation in this country comes from non-renewable resources). Biodiesel is greener particularly if it is created and transported via biodiesel (and "home-grown"). Or, if your biodiesel co-op contributes some of its profits to carbon reduction programs (which many do).

[TR]

It would be a good consumer service for someone to prepare a fair comparison of biodiesel running vehicles against gasoline vehicle "green" ratings. For example, a Jetta TDI on B99 fuel. It's nearly impossible to find a comparison of air pollutants.

[Mike]

The greenest car is no car at all. Why isn't that #1 on the list?

[brett]

Cant believe veggie oil diesels didn't make the list. It should be called "greenest cars with combustion engines using fossil fuels". I use recycled veggie oil after they fry food in it and get about 25mpg but release no CO2 and 70% less overall emssions!! None of the cars you list even come close!!

[karen schwartz]

My Jetta TDI gets 48mpg regardless of how and where I am driving. Plus, I can use 100% biodiesel. This car is cheaper than a hybrid and potentially greener too.

[michelle neubert]

toyota passed GM in 2006 as the #1 vehicle world sales. this happened i think, not because u.s. buyers weren't buying GM, but rather because the world is not buying GM. on overseas trips, the few u.s. cars i saw were over 15 years old. they can't afford the gas and repairs. there were toyota 'hiace' vans the size of vw vans that we can't get here, and many other vans and cars that we can't get. it they came into country, the van and suv market would go asian too.

[bloodnok]

a point raised repeatedly by jim kunstler (you can do the search) is that no matter how green your car is, the ongoing end of oil means we as a species need to find a different way of life. different from our happy motoring suburban hell. i'm thinking bicycles ...

[Pieter]

Everyone seems to focus on gas consumption, but I think the picture is much bigger.

Do any of these ratings consider the materials/processes used in manufacturing the vehicles? How green are they really? Also, where are they (and the components) made, and what are the pollution standards in place? Are the vehilces recyclable, or what are the environmental implications of their disposal (I'm thinking batteries, but I'm sure other materials may be a problem.)

Also, what is the expected life of the vehicles versus the total environmental impact?

[Bill Walsh]

just wondering if there is a list for Vans? Honda makes a very fuel efficient van w/their V-tech engine,but what about the competition? I ask because mini vans have become so incredibly popular. Any suggestions?

[Hanna Boone]

I'm in the market for a new car, but i live in the Colorado Rockies and need 4WD or AWD but want to find something green too, any chance?

[Mark]

600 MPG, complete biofuel... and donuts can even be fed directly into the tank. My bicycle! Since fuel efficiency doesn't curb driving, it's only a temporary solution.

[kate]

woohoo! #12

[Oliver Nichols]

Love my Yaris!

[Ed Coughlin]

As the proud owner of a Honda Civic GX, I would also like to remind you that the price of a gallon-equivalent of natural gas is still under two dollars. Even less if you buy a "Phill" device to fill up in your garage. Southern California is crawling with CNG stations and I have no problem keeping it filled.

[Ed]

We own a 2006 Honda Civic hybrid and seldom drive it (we're retired), but we only get 29.7 miles per gallon according to the dashboard indicator.

What could we be doing wrong?

What could we do to improve the MPG?

Ed

[Jon Ritz]

How about the greenest cars including the ELECTRIC CAR?

[Prior Aelred]

The Toyota Highlander comes in a hybrid model -- 4 wheel drive SUV. I have no idea how it compares exactly, but in snowy rural settings, there are times when 4-wheel drive is not a luxury & it is bound to be better than the alternatives!

[Lisa]

I'd love to see the top 12 ranked in order of pricing. Which are the cheapest options for being green?

[MicM]

I Can't believe the ELECTRIC CAR didn't make your green list. It doesn't use ANY GAS!!! It should be at the top of the list! Check out Zapworld.com and get one for yourself if you really want to be green!

[Mary]

Luv my Prius!

[Seamus Riordan]

THE BEST GREEN FUEL...is www.afuelsllc.com. We don't even use fossil fuel in our vehicles. What comes out of our exhaust muffler is carbon dioxide, oxygen, and TRACE elements of CO, NoX, and SoX gasses.

We're being researched currently in America and Europe.

We are the ONLY true, renewable fuel, that is friendly to the environment, and doesn't rely on oil...at all. All of this with no lack of horsepower, and considerably more economical to operate.

You can take any carbon source (i.e. landfill trash, spent corn stalks), and use it to create acetylene, burn it within our parameters, and create our fuel with no visible smoke.

We've converted several cars, forklifts, and industrial machinery to our fuel.

Since our fuel is lighter than air, it is considerably safer to use than fossil fuels, which are heavier than air and create a greater risk of personal injury when ignited.

We have international patents.

Join us...we are the future...your future. Contact me at 314 620 0076 for more information.

Sorry for the selfless self-promotion, but SOMEONE had to do it.

[Mike]

I know it's only a concept car but the Chevy Volt shown at the Detroit Auto show last month is brilliant. It is an electric car which you can charge at home but it has a little lawnmower sized gas engine that will recharge the battery if you drive too far. So it doesn't have the restricted range problems of earlier electrics. So now if GM can keep out of bankruptcy and develop it.

[Mark Vanderpool]

Re: low mileage with a hybrid - Ed, are you doing a lot of short trips? The gas engine is always going to warm up, even if the car could otherwise be running mostly or completely electric. Longer, combined trips leverage a warm engine. That may be your biggest culprit. Avoid jackrabbit starts, of course. I can watch my gas mileage plummet if I punch the accelerator on my Prius. Smooth and steady is the ticket. Also, realize that hybrids only charge by running, especially braking. If you're not driving your hybrid much, it may not be storing up enough charge for the electric motor to really supplement / take over for the gas engine. But my money is still on the short hops. Try to combine errands as much as you can.

[reason17]

Another voice to say you guys really missed an excellent opportunity to promote the use of biofuels. My husband and I both drive diesel cars and run them on 99% biodiesel which is readily available in our area year-round. My 2002 VW Beetle gets better than 45mpg and my husband's 2005 Jeep Liberty SUV gets better than 25mpg. I've heard biodiesel is a carbon-neutral fuel and that it doesn't pollute the air we breathe like diesel and gasoline do. I really hope you will re-do this list and this article. You owe it to your readers (and the ever-warming world at large, of course!).

[Lisa Bailo]

My Toyota Highlander 4X4 Hybrid gets an average of 29mpg between city and highway, and I drive a lot more highway, or it would be slightly higher. And I have tested this against my gas fill ups and receipts measuring my mileage. If you don't get the 4X4 your mpg average will be a little higher. Pretty good for an SUV!

[Anne]

Why isn't there a hybrid stationwagon or hatch back? Not all of us drive sedans, and I definitely don't want an SUV.

[Filippo Nardin]

I wonder ... what is greener? ... a Hummer driven 5000 miles a year or a Prius driven for 50000? We should have the courage to put a (hefty) green tax on gasoline and let people drive whatever pleases them ... which is basically what they do anywhere else in the world ... and btw, average gas mileage is so much better outside the US as a result of it.

[Izzy Cohen]

I had a 4 banger 1982 Plymouth Champ
which had a two range 4 speed transmission (8 forward speeds in all) and that car gave me an AVERAGE of 41 mpg on regular gas.
It had all the pollution controls (mostly) which we have today.
Why not revive a newer version of that car today?

[Vickie Cardellini]

Now I'm really stumped. Where is my Prius on the list???

[Christopher S. Johnson]

What is this? My Ford Escape Hybrid regularly gets 40mpg in the city and is in electric mode almost 30% of my travel time. This list could use some work.

[RT]

I drive a Civic 2Dr Coupe HX which I think is probably the best overall car ever made (for $14,000 in 2002) – rated near the top in most categories and gets top fuel economy. It is rated at 44 on the hwy and I average about 43mpg year around – about 38 - 40 in the winter (Wisconsin), and 47 in summer, highway only averages about 50. One summer (2004) diving extra conservatively I averaged 52 for the summer and hit as high as 56 on one tank – and this is very accurate and documented. And this is a regular gas – non-hybrid car. Driving intelligently makes a really big difference. I am continually astounded by the way most people tailgate and rush to get to red lights so they can slam on their breaks and sit and wait – while I coast up to the light, avoid hitting my breaks and pass them as the light turns green, probably using half the gas and wear on my breaks and drive train. My brakes too usually go about 50 to 70,000 miles.

[robert smith]

If todays suv's and pickup trucks would install a creeper gear, and a 5 speed or more automatic transmission, with a two speed automatic/electric rear end, they could double highway mileage and still pull the same weight. Also, I'm hopeful that the new nano tech lithium ion batteries will triple the range of current electric plug in vehicles. 400 miles per charge and maybe a very efficient little motor that will charge batteries on road trips if there is no place to plug in.

[Ed]

There are lots of factors that go into determining the "green rating" of a car. It is not only the mpg. A Ford Escape may get 40 mpg, but may create more pollution than the other cars on the list. Diesels, although much cleaner now, still create more pollution than gas engines, and there is not guarantee that you are going to run them on 100% biodiesel or WVO. I have an 83 Mercedes that I run on 80-90% WVO blended with biodiesel, and I can still see the smoke pouring out at times, but the newer diesels are cleaner. My wife and I carpool to work 15 miles in an 07 Prius, we average around 45-50 mpg. It has been around 42 lately with the cold weather. Biodiesel is not carbon-neutral, everything that goes into making it contains carbon, and I am willin got be the plants that are producing it are not running on renewable energy. As someone else stated, walking or riding a bike is the best route, which means giving up our suburbs and moving closer to where we work, and utilizing public transportation.

[Michael]

vehicle includes bicycle. it doesn't matter what you are burning in your internal combustion engine you are still burning and producing the dreaded co2 gas. please stop promoting cars and calling them green. they are not. As long as we buy what they're making, they won't make anything else.

[A Stevenson]

To everyone asking about 4WD alternatives, go to Edmunds.com and research Hybrids and Diesels - there are definately options. However before you go buy something, I should remind you that since a Diesel engine by design is all Torque, it does super in the snow. I have a VW Golf, I run bio-D, and live in the Mtns of Colorado. Never been stuck. Get some good snow tires (Yokohamas work great) and wave at the SUV's flipped over on I-70 as you cruise up the Mtn (again w/ that Torque pulling you up the hill) at 45mpg.
And in the summer ride a bike!

[Pa m Hawes]

I have a Subaru Forester and would LOVE a hybrid Forester. The car is perfect for me as I go on logging roads a lot and need all wheel drive and a high clearance. Any advice as to where I could get such a car?

[ItalysBadBoy]

Hello all,

Alot of really good comments here! I am familiar with this site, went through it awhile back. I encourage everyone to take a little time to go and explore it. One page I would like to point out is, Green by Design, http://www.greenercars.com/gbd1.html
There is also some good tips on driving more environmentally friendly. There is mention of diesels on their site, it listed in the "Meanest Vehicles for the Environment for 2007" They review current diesels in the American market and those unfortunately are large diesel trucks and SUVs. There is no mention that I could find in regards to biodiesel on their site. I sent them an email and asked where the VW Beetle would rate if it ran on biodiesel, no response yet. I am with others in regards to bicycles being one of the cleanest modes of transportation, unfortunately the transportation infrastructure is geared to cars in my area. I do have a number of bicycles regardless. Thanks for reading this and I wish you peace.

IBB

One more thing, I would like to point out an excellent site regarding transportation modes, it's very well done and deserves promotion. http://www.vtpi.org/

[Gene Herman]

love this site. thank you Sierra Club, I have been a long time member and conservation is the only game in town. My partner owns a Honda Hybrid 03, we both drive it on Bay area freeways and streets. Only get about 32mpg, disapointed in that. Think electric and solar.

[Ernest Haas]

I regularly (on a summer day) get 68 mpg. in my 2000 Insight on a 300 mi. trip. I actually averaged 72 mpg. one careful trip last year, but in Winter, of course, it drops into 50-55 mpg. Tiny space, but a very green car with no mechanical problems.

[Pam Dehmer]

what happened to the Mazda 3? It was on the best list last year. I traded my Plymouth van for one and I just love it.

[Agnes]

I worry that focusing on green cars only encourages more driving instead of promoting mass transit. The cost of building new roads and highways will continue to increase as oil and cement prices go up.
We need to be changing how people think about transportation instead of encouraging more driving.

[Fred Kent]

A few blocks from where I live in Brooklyn New York a Hummer killed a four year old little boy and seriously injured his 18 year old aunt. They were crossing a street with the walk signal and the turning driver did not see them because of the elevated nature of the vehicle. Rather than just assessing a vehicle for environmental emmissions, why can't we also evaluate for community friendliness. Richard Louv in his book, "Last Child in the Wilderness" (?) describes a study where the distance away from a home that children are allowed to go has shrunken to a ninth of what it was in 1970. That is a mega crisis. The environmental community would do well to move beyond narrow ecological goals to community goals.