In continuation of my earlier post

The Toyota Camry hybrid has slipped a notch lower and has the Smart Fortwo to thank. You can’t rest on your oars, can you now? But it still retains its ‘green car’ image as is evident from the ACEEE’s list of green cars for the year 2009.With an impressive air pollution score of 8/10 this hybrid has a green score of 44. Averaging 33 mpg on city roads and 34 mpg for highway use, the carbon dioxide emissions of this car are in the neighborhood of 5.4 tons annually.

The Toyota Yaris, not a hybrid yet, at least not before 2011, has made it yet again this year according to the ACEEE as an environmentally friendly car. Choose between the automatic and standard transmission. Prepare yourself for a 1 mpg deficit in fuel average on the highway if you choose the automatic over the standard. On city roads this car averages 29 mpg where as for highway use it gives 36 mpg. With a green score of 46 it gets a 6/10 on the air pollution scale.

The Honda Fit has secured a place for itself on the ACEEE list of green cars for the year 2009. With a city driving average of 28 mpg and 35 mpg for highway driving, it’s almost level pegging with the Toyota Yaris’ average (29 mpg for city and 33 mpg for highway). If you choose the manual over the automatic you stand to be poorer by 2 mpg in terms of fuel average. The Fit gets a 6/10 as its air pollution score.

The Mini Cooper too has ensured that its models are serious contenders for the most coveted prefix (green) of a nomenclature born of environmental issues. The ACEEE’s list of green cars for the year 2009 corroborates the eco-friendly credentials of both models mentioned here. The 2009 Mini Cooper in its advertising blitz wears its ‘30 mpg average’ in combined city highway driving like a decoration. This Mini Cooper scores 6/10 on the air pollution meter emitting 5.7 tons of carbon dioxide annually. The Mini Cooper’s Clubman that’s neck and neck with the bigger Clubman gives 28 mpg on city roads and 37 mpg for highway driving. It scores 6/10 on the air pollution scale giving off 5.7 tons of carbon dioxide annually.

The Honda Insight may have not made it to the ACEEE list but has set the pace for others to follow. Unmatched when it comes to fuel efficiency and environmental impact, the Insight gives 53 mpg (Wowee!) in combined city/highway driving. This puts it well ahead of other green cars on most green lists for 2009. Its hybrid variant was launched only last month - last week of March 2009 or thereabouts. In the first week alone it sold 569 units. Somehow, I don’t like the shape its body takes where it is almost half drawn over the rear wheel; puts one in mind of an Oldsmobile of the 50s

Bored? :)

Just one more piece of information until the next time – other categories of green vehicles include hybrid SUVs, minivans, pickup trucks and vans -

It is sibling rivalry at its best with the sisters Ford Hybrid SUV – the Mercury Mariner, the Ford Escape and the Mazda Tribute, all tied at the number one spot for the most-fuel efficient SUV

The Dodge Caravan and Chrysler Town and County, both tied at the number one spot for the most-fuel efficient minivan

The Ford Ranger and The Mazda B2300, both tied at the number one spot for the most-fuel efficient pickup truck

The Chevrolet G 1500/2500 and the GMC Savana Cargo both tied at the number one spot for the most-fuel efficient van.

I’m bushed now fellas! So long until the next time.