Fuel Economy: Green Means Go

Image Gallery Honda Insight Hybrid COURTESY HONDA

Buckle up, America — the era of cheap oil is over. Whether the road ahead for gasoline prices will be a steep climb or an undulating trip through peaks and valleys is anyone’s guess. But don’t expect to see gas prices drop below $2 a gallon ever again. The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) projects the national average will remain above $2.20 per gallon through 2006. Odds are you’re already feeling the pinch of this trend — this summer gas prices were up about 35 cents per gallon compared to the summer of 2004.

Drive a more fuel-efficient vehicle, however, and you can save a substantial amount of money. Even if gas remains steady at $2.20 a gallon, annual gas expenses for a car that gets 25 miles per gallon (mpg) will total about $1,320. Switch to a 35-mpg car, though, and you’ll save $377 a year; a 50-mpg hybrid will save you $660 a year. Over a five-year period, the savings will add up to $1,886 and $3,300, respectively.

There also are benefits greater than saving money. “Choosing which vehicle to drive is one of, if not the, most important environmental decisions a person can make,” says James Kliesch, principal vehicle analyst for the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE) and lead author of ACEEE’s annual environmental guide to cars and trucks.

So don’t settle for anything near the average U.S. fuel economy of 21 mpg. To find the greenest car, station wagon, truck or sport utility vehicles (SUV) for you, check out the charts in the Image Gallery. The first group shows 47 vehicles from model years 2001 to 2005 rated with at least 35 mpg in city or highway driving. With the second set, you'll find the greenest and most fuel-efficient 2005 models among specfic size categories. Information listed for each vehicle model includes price, fuel economy, annual fuel cost, and scores for air pollution, greenhouse gases and overall environmental impact (all described in detail below).

GREENER OPTIONS IN EVERY VEHICLE CLASS

When shopping for a vehicle, you balance numerous considerations, including price, safety features, dependability, size and fuel economy. Which of these become most important depends on individual needs and preferences. In today’s market, though, you can find a model that provides what you need and want, and that is best among its competition with regard to emissions and fuel economy — the two dominant influences over an automobile’s environmental footprint.