CONSUMER'S GUIDE TO SUSTAINABLE TECHNOLOGIES -- AUTOMOBILES

Automobiles

Introduction
Primary Links
For More Information
Organizations

Introduction

The decision for most North Americans which has the single largest environmental impact is choice of transportation. This is because motor vehicles are a major source of air pollutants, such as smog-inducing ozone, particulate matter, and air toxins, which are responsible for serious health problems. Fossil fuel based transportation also accounts for 1/3 of all carbon dioxide emissions in the United States today. Carbon dioxide is a greenhouse gas linked to global warming.

The options you have available are varied and cover a lot of different lifestyle choices:

where you live - close to work or public transportation
what type of vehicle you drive - size, fuel efficiency, emissions ratings, type of fuel
how you drive - moderate, consistent speed to maximize fuel efficiency
how well you maintain your car - engine upkeep, tire condition, exhaust system
when you drive - walk or ride a bike when you can, exercise and save the environment

Choosing an energy efficient vehicle is a win-win situation. Not only do you reduce harmful environmental effects like air and water pollution, but you also lower your fuel bills. Improved fuel efficiency also lowers our dependence on foreign sources of oil and increases what some call our national energy security.

When it comes to purchasing a vehicle, you have a lot of choices - size, manufacturer, model, color, upgrades - but one thing that you might not have thought of is choice of fuel. Alternative fuel vehicles are no longer a thing of the future and many models are already commercially available. Although you'll pay more up-front, you can save in the long run through fuel savings and lower maintenance costs.

Questions? Please see our page of Frequently Asked Questions about Automobiles.

Primary Links

Green Guide to Cars and Trucks

URL: http://www.aceee.org/greenercars/toprate.htm
A list of the greenest vehicles for model year 1999 in each class from compacts to utilities. "Greeness" is based on emissions standards and fuel economy. Includes a separate list of California certified automobiles. Easy to use with class ranking symbols. Unfortunately, it only rates the top three models from each class, so you might not be able to find the vehicle you want. Alternately, you can look at the lists of the 12 best and 12 worst rated vehicles.

Fuel Economy

URL: http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/sbs.htm
A web site co-sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy and the Environmental Protection Agency. Search by make and model to find average miles per gallon (mpg), annual fuel cost, and carbon dioxide emissions. A fuel economy rating compares it to others of similar size. Select multiple models, and it automatically compares them side-by-side. You can also search by mpg or get a list by class of the best and worst rated vehicles for fuel efficiency. Also available soon will be a PDF version of the Fuel Economy Guide, which includes both gasoline and alternative fuel model year 2000 vehicles.

Buyer's Guide to Cleaner Cars

URL: http://www.arb.ca.gov/msprog/ccbg/ccbg.htm
Lists of vehicles which meet or exceed California's stringent low-emission standards. It covers cars, vans, trucks, sports utility, and alternative fuel vehicles for various model years from 1995 through 1999. Also includes a guide to zero-emissions vehicles. Though the vehicles are primarily available in California, consumers in other states can consult their dealers to order specific models with advanced emissions control systems.

Alternative Fuels Data Center

URL: http://www.afdc.doe.gov/
A wonderful site from the Department of Energy for anyone considering purchasing an alternative fuel vehicle, it includes information about both commercially available and experimental models. You can search by model, type of vehicle, or fuel type to obtain detailed specifications, including sticker price, average miles per gallon, emissions information, driving range, and dealer information. Also available to download as a PDF chart. Contains links to related web sites, including an essential refueling site locator map for the entire United States.

For More Information

Alternatives to Traditional Transportation Fuels: An Overview

URL: ftp://ftp.eia.doe.gov/pub/solar.renewables/alt_over.pdf
From the Energy Information Agency, this comprehensive report provides background on government programs; descriptions, properties, production and distribution of alternative as well as traditional fuels; characteristics of alternative fuel vehicles; an overview of emerging fuel resources; and information about greenhouse gases and harmful emissions. Appendices provide lists of federal, state, and private sector sources and references for additional information. Report is dated June, 1994, so some of the information may not be the most current. Be patient. This takes a few minutes to download.

Automobile Emissions: An Overview

URL: http://www.epa.gov/reg3artd/vehic/05-autos.htm
The EPA produced this clear, informative description of automobile emissions, which covers sources, the combustion process, and pollutants. Also overviews the history of emissions controls and their effect on air quality.

Clean Hydrogen Transportation: A Market Opportunity For Renewable Energy

By James S. Cannon. REPP Issue Brief No. 7, April 1997
URL: http://www.repp.org/articles/issuebr7/issuebr7.html
This paper examines the use of hydrogen-powered fuel cells in place of conventional internal combustion engines, the status of hydrogen commercialization, and the public policies and programs promoting alternative fuel use. Also available to download in PDF (117kb).

Tips to Cut Fuel Costs

URL: http://www.inel.gov/resources/newsletters/star/1996/06-25-96/06-25-06.html
Advice from the Idaho National Engineering and Environmental Laboratory on reducing fuel use, air pollution and vehicle maintenance costs.

Greener Solutions Guide to Buying a Greener Vehicle

URL: http://www.ucsusa.org/transportation/buy.green.cars.html
Includes information about advanced vehicles, including battery operated electric, hybrid electric, fuel cell powered and "greener" conventional vehicles. Contains data about vehicles, range, performance, cost and availability. Also includes links to manufacturer's pages about specific models.

Reports, Articles, and Newsletters

URL: http://www.ott.doe.gov/consumer/newsletters.html
Links and contact information for a variety of publications from the Department of Energy and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory. Includes Alternative Fuel News and overviews of various alternative fuel programs. Some are available as text-only (HTML) while others can be viewed as fully formatted documents (Adobe PDF).

Uncle Mark's Alternative Fueling Station

URL: http://home.earthlink.net/~mrgasser/
Information from a long-time user about alternative motor vehicle fuels, wholesale and retail availability, advantages and disadvantages, engine designs, available vehicle models, and links to other resources. Also includes accounts of personal journeys.

Organizations

U.S. Department of Energy Clean Cities Program, EE-34

URL: http://www.ccities.doe.gov
1000 Independence Ave. S.W., Washington, DC 20585-0121 USA
Phone (800) 224-8437
Clean Cities is a program sponsored by the U.S Department of Energy which employs market-based incentives to encourage the use of alternative fuel vehicles in an effort to achieve energy security and improve environmental quality.

Electric Auto Association

URL: http://www.eaaev.org
2710 St. Giles Lane, Mountain View, CA 94040 USA
Phone (800) 537-2882
An educational organization that promotes the advancement and widespread adoption of electricity-powered automobiles.

Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS)

URL: http://www.ucsusa.org
2 Brattle Square, Cambridge, MA 02238-9105 USA
Phone (617) 547-5552
A partnership of scientists and concerned citizens, the UCS combines research, public education and political action to ensure that all people have clean air and energy as well as safe and sufficient food. Their web site has a special consumer center and the fun to play and educational "Great Green Web Game."

Automobiles

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