Greenest Cars for 2008 (from MSN):

[E-SMART]

(it's the first non-hybrid, gasoline powered (the GX is CNG - Compressed Natural Gas, beats the Yaris)


Greenest Vehicles of 2008, With Green Score

Honda Civic GX 57
Toyota Prius 53
Honda Civic Hybrid 51
Smart fortwo 49
Toyota Yaris 46
Nissan Altima Hybrid 46
Toyota Corolla 45
MINI Cooper/Clubman 44
Ford Focus 44
Toyota Camry Hybrid 44
Honda Civic 44
Honda Fit 44


Source: ACEEE's Green Book: The Environmental Guide to Cars and Trucks

full story

http://editorial.autos.msn.com/artic...nl_6005.4.2.11

[JPaul]

In fact, smart's priority, right now, seems to be the deployment of the "mhd", because it's what is in demand, especially in Europe. Understandably so, with the current worldwide "greening" efforts.

(From the source: smartville's spokesperson)

[SmartBob]

Nice to see our cars above a hybrid. hehehe

[Smart_ABQ]

And the greenest vehicle is something that is not available to the general public and has no chance of it either. Not likely to see a distribution network for CNG. Would be nice if these lists included only those vehicles that were in wide availability. I don't think automakers should be given kudos for some experimental vehicle (ahem GM hybrids are currently available where?). The kudos should go only to those manufacturers that are actually putting vehicles on the market for consumers to purchase.

[msjohnson1974]

"Green" for this group is based largely on fuel consumption not overall impact on the environment. How much virgin plastic vs. recycled plastic is in a Civic Hybrid or a Prius? What happens to that bank of heavy metal laden batteries?

The list is a good start but we need to consider how the vehicle is made, what materials were used, and how you dispose of it all down the road for a "green" vehicle ranking.