The Low Down On Green Living
February 21st, 2008
Greenest Cars of 2008 from ACEEE
Stumble it!
The ACEEE (the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy) has released their annual Green Book for 2008 which scores cars on their environmental friendliness. They give a green score for every model and select both the “greenest” and the “meanest” vehicles. It’s a very useful consumer guide to lowering your contribution to global warming via smart auto choices.
The Greenest Cars for 2008
Think the Prius wins? Think again. For the fifth year in a row, the Honda Civic GX is the overall winner with a green score of 57. This is a natural gas vehicle and gets 24 MPG in the city and 36 on the freeway. It’s MPG may be lower than its hybrid counterparts, but because it is a natural gas vehicle, it has super low emissions.
The Toyota Prius wins 2nd place with a green score of 53, and 48 MPG in the city and 45 on the freeway. Honda garners two out of the top three, with its Honda Civic Hybrid coming in 3rd place. The Civic is strong but doesn’t quite match the Prius on the mileage front: it gets 40 MPG in the city and 45 on the highway.
Number four is the zippy convertible Smart Car. The Smart Fortwo gets 33 MPG in the city and 41 on the freeway. You’ll look swanky in it and it starts at under $14,000! 5th place goes to the Toyota Yaris, which is also reasonably priced at less than $13,000. It gets 29 MPG in the city and 36 on the freeway.
To see more of the greenest cars, click here.
The Meanest Cars for 2008
Now the fun part— naming the worst offenders! The worst of the eco-worst is the Volkswagen Touareg, with a green score of 14. It gets 15 MPG in the city and 20 on the highway. Yes, it is actually worse than a Hummer– in fact the Hummer is the 10th worst with a score of 18 (but don’t think that means it’s okay to buy one!!).
Several Mercedes models are in the bottom ten: the GL320 is number 3, the ML320 is number 8 and the G55 AMG is number 9. The Jeep Grand Cherokee is the 4th worst, with 17 MPG in the city and 22 MPG on the freeway. The GMC Yukon is the 11th worst and gets 12 MPG in the city and 16 on the freeway.
In case you were thinking of putting down the clams for a Bentley, let us assure you that you’ll be an eco-foe. The Bentley Azure and the Arnage both get 9 (NINE!!!) MPG in the city and 15 on the freeway. You may look cool, but you’ll really be a fool.
To see the rest of the worst, click here.
Popularity: 1% [?]
Comments
Stacy
February 21st, 2008 at 1:04 pm
Wow, I’m surprised! The Prius is probably the most well-known as being an eco-friendly car. Maybe its overall outer look/shell has something to do with the concept of new and different, vs. the Civic GX. Makes the Civic even more impressive.
Mcark
February 21st, 2008 at 9:30 pm
I’m all protecting the environment but using more gas isn’t “green” no matter the emissions because more gas means more production, more raping of the land, more money going into oil instead of other forms of energy, and a reliance on the status quo vs. change. I’m not impressed by the civic. It’s something to think about though…..
Kelly
February 26th, 2008 at 10:41 am
What about alternative fuels? Sure the Touareg is a beast, but what if it’s running on biodiesel?
Jessica Jensen
February 26th, 2008 at 12:17 pm
You are quite right Kelly– a biodiesel Toureg is certainly the greener option. In fact you can burn biodiesel in any diesel engine….so get an old Mercedes, or other diesel car and you’re on your way to eco-smart driving!
Lisa
February 26th, 2008 at 12:39 pm
What is the rating of the 2008 Ford Escape Hybrid?
Jessica Jensen
February 26th, 2008 at 12:50 pm
Ford Escape Hybrid gets a green rating of 42 (compared to 53 for the Prius), and gets 34 MPG in the city and 30 highway.
Troy Chagnon
February 26th, 2008 at 1:33 pm
I found these ratings to be pretty interesting and useful for those who use their cars to commute and cart their family around. I own a Chevy Suburban (please hold the boos till you read the rest of this) with lettering on the side proudly advertising my eco-friendly business. In my line of work I need a large vehicle to cart around tools and supplies and I bought this vehicle because it also runs on E85 which is what I use exclusively (even when it is more expensive than gas). I know there is a lot of talk that ethanol as produce in the US is not as efficient as we think but I do feel that it is a very logical transition fuel until hydrogen is able to become mainstream. I even had to put a little sticker on the back because so many potential clients kept asking me how I can call myself “green” driving around a giant bus.
I would like to see another green list that focused on alternative fuels like e85 and biodiesel so those of us who must have large vehicles can find the greenest large vehicles. The Yukon (closest thing to my Suburban) listed didn’t even have a mention as to it’s ability to run on an alternative fuel, I bet it would have done a lot better!
dave
February 26th, 2008 at 2:18 pm
Does this organization include rankings of electric cars? I read about some electric cars the other day and wonder what their impact would be.
http://sattlerclothing.com/blog/wp-admin/post-new.php
Steve
February 26th, 2008 at 2:56 pm
What concerns me is that no one makes note of the batteries that are used in hybrid and electric cars. Generally speaking, they’re extremely difficult on the environment to procure, produce, and recycle. We seem to overlook that fact while instead focusing blindly on the MPG and ULEV ratings.
julie
February 26th, 2008 at 2:59 pm
for those of us unable to afford a brand new car—–no matter how badly we want to be green–
where are the ratings on used cars–and i mean USED - more than 2 years old—like more than than 10 years old.
some of us are barely making it paycheck to paycheck, because we have made life choices–like working low paying jobs ( monetary wise) in order to work at jobs that benefit the enviroment.
consequently, we can’t afford the latest greatest green everything, and need to make choices in line with our budgets.
Also–REUSE is one of the biggest enviro impacts!!!!
Jean
February 26th, 2008 at 4:10 pm
When thinking about using biofuels for our cars, we should first consider and understand what is used to make the fuel. If it’s ethanol made from corn, the process of growing the corn may do more environmental damage than it solves. Growing corn takes a lot of land, water and fertilizers/ pesticides/herbicides (all made from petroleum.) Industrial agriculture is one of the major causes of biodiversity loss by having to clear off natural landscapes. Corn uses a great amount of water. The fertilizer used is often excessvie and it flows down the river and into the ocean, killing off life there (look up Gulf of Mexico Dead Zone.) Pesticides just harm both people and the environment. Finally, I don’t think biofuels are a solution if both consumers and the auto industry don’t focus on car efficiency first.
Joe Schultz
February 26th, 2008 at 4:35 pm
I am new to the green world and understand that Co2 emission need to be lowered .But as far as fuel usage I own a Geo Metro that gets more than 38 gal avg in the city and 42 hwy
The figures they show are not that great
Help educate me ..
Jason Pelletier, Low Impact Living
February 26th, 2008 at 6:22 pm
Joe:
Great question! ACEEE uses a multi-part rating system that tries to estimate the overall environmental impact (not just greenhouse gas related) of a car. So, they look at the air pollutants such as particulate and smog-forming compounds that a car emits AND the greenhouse gas contribution caused by burning fuel (two separate and very different issues). They also look at the environmental impacts upstream of manufacturing and transporting a given fuel, and also the environmental impacts of manufacturing a specific car (so a Hummer that weighs alot obviously has greater manufacturing impacts than a Metro!).
Your mileage suggests a very low carbon footprint (CO2 emissions are 90%+ based on vehicle mileage, and you’re near Prius-level!), and a Metro doesn’t weigh much. That probably means that it gets tripped up on the other pollutants. You don’t mention what year your car is, but manufacturers have made great strides in reducing the pollutants emitted by even gas guzzlers today. So a new Tahoe might have huge CO2 emissions per mile due to low mileage, but low pollution as compared to a much more efficient older car because of new cleaner engine design.
Just speculating, though, since I can’t see the detailed breakout!
Rob Johnson
February 26th, 2008 at 6:22 pm
It doesn’t surprize me that the Civic outranked the prius- Toyota has better marketing than honda- and at least Toyota offers a hybrid- GM, Ford, CHrysler? Where is your offering. Oh I forgot GM did have an electric car but they took it away from their owners and squashed it when it looked like it worked and people liked them. Chevy Volt- WHEN?
Rob Johnson
February 26th, 2008 at 6:26 pm
Joe Schultz- I understand your frustration- I own the same type of car- a 1995 SUzuki Swift- and I am tired of seeingthe hybrids that get worse gan mileage than mine get all the glory (and in the state of Washington get to use the HOV lanes- with one driver!)From what I have been told our cars exceed the emission limits compared to hybrids. Oh well congratulations on your metro! Happy Driving
Sam
February 26th, 2008 at 7:54 pm
I’m looking for a hybrid vehicle that seats more than 6. Any suggestions? It’s certainly better for all if I can drive my daughters and their teammates to practice vs. 3 cars going to & from the same place.
Jessica Jensen
February 26th, 2008 at 10:04 pm
Sam if you are looking for a new car I would say the Ford Escape Hybrid is probably your best bet….a roomy SUV with good mileage.
Julie I hear you on the used car front– we can’t all afford a shiny new hybrid! I would say a good used Toyota Prius is a great option– they last forever! Or if that’s too expensive, a used Honda Civic is also pretty good.
OR if you’re willing to go the biodiesel route, how about an old Mercedes or a diesel truck? Any older diesel will do.
Brian
February 27th, 2008 at 4:16 am
I don’t think the escape will seat more than six, if you’re looking for a full-size SUV that’s “greener” because of your demand, which I would be due to towing, and having 4 kids, GM is offering several of their’s as hybrids, starting with the Chevy Tahoe, the only problem, you have to get the 2 wheel drive option, if this isn’t being used in harsh weather, and is only being used for “mom” type driving, then it’s good enough for that.
Ed
February 27th, 2008 at 6:16 am
There are areas of the country that require awd or 4wd to travel..eg rural areas with heavy snow fall totals. Also, a semi agrarian lifestyle requires an ability to carry/tow large loads. Any suggestions for vehicles?
Sam
February 27th, 2008 at 6:55 am
Yeah, I was really excited when the Escape came out, until I realized it’s still only a 5-seater. A full-blown SUV is really more car than I need + I don’t want the hassle of fitting it in the garage, parking, etc. I’ve driven a mini-van for 12 years- the one I have now is 7 years old. I am hoping to make it last to the 10 year mark. Maybe by then, Toyota, Honda, Ford or GMC will have gotten around to sticking a hybrid ina mini-van or a crossover vehicle.
Post a Comment