The Greenest Cars of 2007 according to the ACEEE
The American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE's) has created their Green Book Online for Model Year 2007 Vehicles. Three...
Make and Model | Specifications a | Emission Standard b | MPG: City | MPG: Hwy | Green Score |
HONDA CIVIC GX | 1.8L 4, auto [CNG] c | Tier 2 bin 2 / PZEV | 28 | 39 | 57 |
TOYOTA PRIUS | 1.5L 4, auto CVT | Tier 2 bin 3 / PZEV | 60 | 51 | 55 |
HONDA CIVIC HYBRID | 1.3L 4, auto CVT | Tier 2 bin 2 / PZEV | 49 | 51 | 53 |
NISSAN ALTIMA HYBRID | 2.5L 4, auto CVT | PZEV | 42 | 36 | 48 |
TOYOTA YARIS | 1.5L 4, manual | Tier 2 bin 5 / ULEV II | 34 | 40 | 47 |
TOYOTA COROLLA | 1.8L 4, manual | Tier 2 bin 5 / ULEV II | 32 | 41 | 46 |
TOYOTA CAMRY HYBRID | 2.4L 4, auto CVT | Tier 2 bin 3 / PZEV | 40 | 38 | 46 |
HONDA FIT | 1.5L 4, manual | Tier 2 bin 5 / LEV II | 33 | 38 | 45 |
KIA RIO / RIO 5 | 1.6L 4, manual | Tier 2 bin 5 / ULEV II | 32 | 35 | 45 |
HYUNDAI ACCENT | 1.6L 4, manual | Tier 2 bin 5 / ULEV II | 32 | 35 | 45 |
HYUNDAI ELANTRA | 2.0L 4, auto | PZEV | 28 | 36 | 45 |
HONDA CIVIC | 1.8L 4, auto | Tier 2 bin 5 / ULEV II | 30 | 40 | 44 |
[CNG] denotes compressed natural gas fuel. |
According to their FAQ page, they rate vehicles based on their green scores:
We analyze automakers' test results for fuel economy and emissions as reported to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the California Air Resources Board, along with other specifications reported by automakers. We estimate pollution from vehicle manufacturing, from the production and distribution of fuel and from vehicle tailpipes. We count air pollution, such as fine particles, nitrogen oxides, hydrocarbons and other pollutants according to the health problems caused by each pollutant. We then factor in greenhouse gases (such as carbon dioxide) and combine the emissions estimates into a Green Score that runs on a scale from 0 to 100. The top vehicles this year score a 57, the average is 30 and the worst gas-guzzlers score around 14. Further information can be found on the GreenerCars.com Methodology page.
The Honda Insight has fallen off the list (see the Greenest Cars of 2006), since it was discontinued, while the Nissan Altima Hybrid has joined the list when it debuted this year using Toyotas hybrid technology.
The ACEEE also has a Greener Choices of 2007 list that includes the Ford Escape Hybrid and Toyota Highlander Hybrid, which have a green score of 43 and 39, respectively. While not good enough to make the Greenest Cars list, they are the greenest choices in their segment. In other words, the ACEEE wants to "show that there are ways to buy a cleaner and more efficient vehicle throughout the market."