THE MOST
ENVIRONMENTALLY-FRIENDLY VEHICLES
The American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE) has just released the new edition of its pathbreaking consumer guide, the Green Guide to Cars and Trucks: Model Year 1999.
Information on other vehicle attributes, such as safety and reliability, is widely published, but only ACEEE's Green Guide to Cars and Trucks provides complete and accessible information covering the many aspects of automotive environmental performance.
This unique book provides Green Scores for every new passenger car, minivan, sport utility, and pickup truck sold in the United States. According to Guide author John DeCicco, ACEEE's Transportation Program Director, "By checking Green Scores for the models they are considering, consumers can comparison shop with the environment in mind."
The Green Score is based on a vehicle's tailpipe and global warming pollution, fuel economy and other specifications. Along with these summary scores, the Guide lists information on each model's health impacts, estimated annual fuel expenses, and greenhouse gas emissions.
Included in the Green Guide to Cars and Trucks is:
New this year in the Green Guide to Cars and Trucks is a separate, "Practical Picks" table with a selection of the greener gasoline-powered models. Overall, the most environmentally friendly vehicles are those powered by electricity or natural gas. Recognizing that these choices are not yet feasible for most buyers, Guide co-author and ACEEE Research Assistant Martin Thomas states, "Our Practical Picks list shows that there are greener choices throughout the market."
With air pollution still plaguing many parts of the country and with emissions from fossil fuels -- particularly the gasoline and diesel fuel burned by our motor vehicles -- disrupting the earth's climate, "Choosing greener cars is more important than ever," DeCicco says. "The Green Guide to Cars and Trucks provides practical advice for consumers concerned about protecting their health, their children's health, and the health of the planet."
"Our book helps buyers cut through the alphabet soup of various Low-Emission Vehicles (LEVs)," notes Thomas. The Green Guide to Cars and Trucks makes it easy to find the greenest model that meets your needs and fits your budget."
ACEEE is publishing the Green Guide to Cars and Trucks to help meet the needs of a growing number of American car consumers who are increasingly aware of the link between the cars they buy, the air we breathe, and the future of our planet.
| Make and Model | Specifications | Emission Standard | Fuel Economy/City | Fuel Economy/Hwy | Class Ranking |
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| GM EV-1 | Electric | ZEV | 3.3 | 4 | 57 | Superior |
| NISSAN ALTRA | Electric1 | ZEV | 2.9 | 3.3 | 52 | Superior |
| TOYOTA RAV4 | Electric1 | ZEV | 3.2 | 2.6 | 50 | Superior |
| HONDA CIVIC GX | 1.6L 4, auto [CNG]2 | ULEV | 28 | 34 | 46 | Superior |
| CHEVROLET S-10 | Electric1 | ZEV | 2.2 | 2.4 | 46 | Superior |
| HONDA EV PLUS | Electric1 | ZEV | 2 | 2 | 42 | Superior |
| FORD RANGER | Electric1 | ZEV | 2.6 | 2.3 | 42 | Superior |
| CHEVROLET METRO | 1.0L 3, manual | LEV | 41 | 47 | 38 | Superior |
| SUZUKI SWIFT | 1.3L 4, manual | LEV | 39 | 43 | 37 | Superior |
| MITSUBISHI MIRAGE | 1.5L 4, manual | LEV | 33 | 40 | 34 | Superior |
| HONDA CIVIC | 1.6L 4, manual | LEV** | 32 | 37 | 33 | Above Average |
| SATURN SC/SL | 1.9L 4, manual | LEV | 29 | 40 | 33 | Above Average |
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Written by: American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy
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