Clean and Efficient Vehicles

Cost: $21,000 - $35,000

The alternatives to driving a vehicle are many and relatively obvious: walk, ride a bike, carpool or use public transportation.  For those of us who live rurally these are not realistic options so here are some suggestions for reducing gasoline consumption.

When purchasing a new vehicle consider re-evaluating your needs and look for a smaller vehicle that is best suited to your average number of passengers and load carrying requirements.  In addition to looking at the rated MPG, look at the emissions information.  There are new categories for this known as various forms LEV (Low Emission Vehicles).   For example A ULEV or Ultra-Low Emissions Vehicle is a vehicle that has been verified by the California Air Resources Board to emit 50% less polluting emissions than the average for new cars released in that model year.

There are several models of hybrid vehicles on the market that obtain dramatically increased MPG from storing and re-using electric energy in a battery bank that powers an electric motor to assist the gas engine as needed.   The Honda Insight 2 seat hatchback is the most efficient hybrid that averages 60 MPG while also having an ULEV rating.  The Toyota Prius is an excellent family vehicle at 50 to 60MPG, while the Ford Escape SUV Hybrid FWD boasts 31 MPG on the highway and 36 MPG in city driving.