EPA Green Vehicle Guide

[smartie]

In perusing the EPA Green Vehicle Guide
Green Vehicle Guide | US EPA
I noticed that the smart does not make the SmartWay Elite list which includes the Mercury Mariner and Ford Escape hybrids (34 MPG city/ 30 MPG highway)and the usual Japanese hybrids. The smart gets top marks for fuel economy and greenhouse gas emissions, but falls below the hybrids in "Air Polllution Score", where it gets a 7 compared with 9-9.5 for the hybrids. Curiously,the Prius gets the same Air Pollution Score as the Ford and Mercury even though the Prius has much better gas mileage.

The smart is near the top of this other green car list:
http://www.greenercars.org/highlights_greenest.htm

[Bill Marshall]

This is a good example of the differences between air pollution standards in the US vs Europe. US regulations are much more stringent on air pollution standards for particluate emissions like NOx. Europe emphasizes greenhouse emissions.

It's interesting that the US requires emissions equipment that actually reduces fuel economy & therefore increases greenhouse emissions because more gas is burned. The emissions equipment also adds weight which further reduces fuel economy & further increases greenhouse emissions. The extra equipment also adds cost to the manufacturer & therefore increases the price to the consumer, further reducing the economy of an "economy car."

I guess everything's a tradeoff. Our smarts are a little heavier, a little safer, & burn a little cleaner, but they're a little more expensive & not as fuel efficient as those in Europe - especially since we don't have mhd.

[mikie]

What bothers me is the fact that they don't consider the effects on the environment for the production and disposal of the batteries in these "green" cars.

Just seems like there's so many shades of green.

Here's one:
[IMG][/IMG]

[Jordon]

Originally Posted by smartie

Curiously,the Prius gets the same Air Pollution Score as the Ford and Mercury even though the Prius has much better gas mileage.

The Prius has much better aerodynamics than the SUV from Ford. Getting 34mpg in a well designed SUV is great, at least with it you won't have the smug cloud that hangs over a Prius

[Bill Marshall]

Originally Posted by Jordon

The Prius has much better aerodynamics than the SUV from Ford. Getting 34mpg in a well designed SUV is great, at least with it you won't have the smug cloud that hangs over a Prius

The problem with the Ford Escape Hybrid is that it's not recommended for towing! Who needs an SUV that can't tow?

[SubSlr88]

Originally Posted by Jordon

The Prius has much better aerodynamics than the SUV from Ford. Getting 34mpg in a well designed SUV is great, at least with it you won't have the smug cloud that hangs over a Prius

Sorry, to me the idea of a SUV-hybrid is an oxymoron. The majority of the newest are from GM and still have horrible gas mileage! The Yukon with a 6.0L V8 is only 21/22 for the 2WD version. A 6.0L V8~! That's ridiculous. . .
The Chevy Tahoe version is the same . . . Don't even get me started on the Cadillac hybids with the 6.2L V8 and only starting at $65K!
No wonder GM is rapidly tanking. Their designers are stuck in the '80s. . . MORE POWER!
I applaud for Ford for keeping their SUV hybids smaller and much more fuel efficient.

[forestacademy]

Right with you,
Most folks get an SUV to haul kids not trailers.

[Bill Marshall]

Originally Posted by forestacademy

Right with you,
Most folks get an SUV to haul kids not trailers.

I thought that vans were for hauling kids & that SUV's were "utility vehicles" - which is why they're usually built on truck platforms. I use my SUV as a work vehicle, not for kids.

[forestacademy]

Who makes a Hybrid VAN?

ANd can an Escape, CRV, Sante Fe, Element, Roge, Kah, Rav 4, Etc tow?

[Jordon]

Originally Posted by Bill Marshall

I thought that vans were for hauling kids & that SUV's were "utility vehicles" - which is why they're usually built on truck platforms. I use my SUV as a work vehicle, not for kids.

Very few SUV's are built on truck platforms anymore, other than the full sizers and the 4-Runner and Explorer, SUV's a on car like platforms. Heck, the Explorer (moving to a carlike platform soon) has IRS, not the best for towing/off roading. Most SUV never see off road or a trailer. Don't think I have ever seen an Escape towing anything.