The Good Guys

Hybrids today are the toast of all those eager to prove their eco-friendly credentials. But in sometime from now, which isn’t a far way off, tail emissions in these ‘all-electric vehicles’ might turn up as a new focal point of concern. Tesla Roadster (the all-electric sports car) and the Fisker Karma a hybrid luxury sedan plug-in had given some cause for concern.

But all said and done, the choice of a hybrid vehicle as a mode of transportation certainly brings down pollution levels. Much as I agree with my ‘combustible’ friend, whose views I've referred to briefly in my earlier post, these innovations are illustrative of efforts to set in motion a process of remediation in order to check abuse of our environment. You have to make a start. And as we go along there will be developments and improvements.

I’m sure most will have the answer to this question at their finger tips. How many mpg is your car giving you, whether hybrid or conventional? If your car’s is giving you 40 and more to the gallon for city or highway driving or 40 and more for a city highway mix, you should be jumping for joy. You’ve got the best of both worlds – a car with a ‘green score’ averaging an impressive 50 and one that’s fuel-efficient too!

I have with me a list of cars that fared really well in 2008. Some of them continue to do so even in the new year and have made it to The American Council for Energy- Efficient Economy’s list (ACEEE) of green cars. It might sound like a mindless rattling of automobiles, statistics and figures. But do pay close attention for as much of it as you can.

The Toyota Prius was the hot favorite in 2008. This year again according to the ACEEE’s list of green cars, this hybrid’s the favorite. With an average of 48 mpg for city driving and 45 mpg for highway use, this car is mama’s boy. It’s got an air-pollution score of 8/10 and emits 4 tons of carbon dioxide annually. At 53 points its green score is among the most envied. Though this is strongly contested by some true-blue, high-on- nationalism Americans who feel the Ford Fusion hybrid is even better.

The Honda Civic hybrid, also on the ACEEE list averages 40 mpg for city driving and 45 mpg for highway driving. Among the greenest cars of 2009, it emits 4.4 tons of carbon dioxide annually and gets a 9/10 as its air pollution score! Such credentials recommended it strongly to the ‘green cars’ category and it is awarded a green score of 51.

The Nissan Altima Hybrid figured on the list of least polluting cars of 2008 and is also on ACEEE’s list of green cars for 2009. Averaging 35 mpg on city roads and 33 mpg for highway driving, it has a green score of 46, emitting 5.4 tons of carbon dioxide annually.

The Smart Fortwo Convertible/Coupe, not a hybrid, may be a dinky fellow, but is certainly not to be underestimated. This guy figured on the least polluting cars’ list of 2008 and is also on ACEEE’s list of green cars for 2009. Coupe or convertible, mileage is not compromised. For city driving 33 mpg is what this lil chappie gives you. For highway driving you get an average of 41 mpg. It’s got an impressive air pollution score of 8/10 emitting 5.1 tons of carbon dioxide annually.

There is more guys. But I'm kinda pressed for time. Will continue with the list in the next post. Ciao.