Fuel efficient cars: no pushy salesmen here, just answers to your Frequently Asked Questions

'The biggest single step to saving money at the gas pump, curbing global warming, and cutting America's oil dependence is to make our cars, Sport Utility Vehicles, and other trucks go further on a gallon of gas,' said Dan Becker, director of the Sierra Club's global warming program.

The combination of rising gas prices and heightened environmental awareness in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina is helping consumers make a shift in their car-buying habits. Once considered a fringe market, fuel-efficient hybrid vehicles have increased in popularity and entered the mainstream. Hybrid vehicles have come a long way since 1999, when Honda introduced the two-seat Insight, the first gasoline-electric hybrid sold in the United States. The 2006 California International Auto Show in Anaheim showcased more fuel-efficient hybrid and diesel models than ever before.

How can going further on a gallon of gas help curb global warming?

Cars and light trucks account for 40 percent of U.S. oil consumption and emit 20 percent of the nation's carbon dioxide pollution, the heat-trapping greenhouse gas that causes global warming. Each gallon of gas burned pumps 28 pounds of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, which means the average car emits about 63 tons of carbon dioxide over its lifetime, and the average SUV or pickup truck emits around 82 tons. If all the vehicles in the U.S. averaged 40 miles per gallon, our nation would save over 3 million barrels of oil per day, more oil than we currently import from the Persian Gulf. Getting 40 miles per gallon would cut global warming pollution by 600 million tons a year and save consumers more than $45 billion each year at the gas pump.

What is the best way to accomplish this goal?

The best way to achieve this goal is to strengthen standards in the nation's oil-savings law, calld Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFÉ). CAFÉ is a fleet-wide average standard. It is currently set at 27.5 mpg for cars and 20.7 mpg for light trucks. Manufacturers can still make vehicles with sub-standard emissions, as long as they balance them with more efficient vehicles.

What is the Bush administration doing about vehicle fuel efficiency?

The Bush administration announced plans to weaken CAFÉ standards, which will result in higher gas prices, deeper oil dependency, and worsening conditions of global warming. The Bush proposal falls far short of the attainable fuel efficiency improvements that can be reached with current technology.

What are automakers doing about fleet-wide fuel efficiency?

All automakers, including the big six-General Motors, Ford, DaimlerChrysler, Toyota, Honda, and Nissan-have been producing and selling more light trucks without a corresponding increase in fleet-wide fuel economy. Light trucks include SUVs, minivans, and sports wagons. Automakers now classify many new and trendy designs as light trucks, a strategy that helps them avoid higher fuel-efficiency standards. Light trucks have grown in market share and emit more carbon dioxide per mile on average than passenger cars. Fuel-efficient vehicles are making limited headway against growing global warming increases from the automotive sector overall.

What other risks are posed by gas-guzzling vehicles?

Gas-guzzlers pose risks to our natural resources. When the fuel efficiency of America's automobile fleet drops, pressure builds to create new supplies of oil to fill the demand, threatening sensitive wilderness areas like the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and coastal areas like the California continental shelf.

How have automakers responded to heightened consumer demand for fuel-efficient vehicles?

More car manufacturers are offering hybrid and diesel models with improved fuel efficiency and ultra-low emissions. Honda is considering putting gas-electric drive trains in more vehicles. Toyota plans to offer hybrid engines in every vehicle in its lineup and in all Lexus brands. Volkswagen is currently offering fuel-efficient diesel models. Ford plans to boost production of hybrid vehicles so that half its Ford, Lincoln, and Mercury cars and light trucks will have hybrid capability by 2010.

What are the most fuel-efficient 2006 vehicles?

Three 2006 hybrid models-the Toyota Prius, Honda Insight, and Honda Civic Hybrid-offer fuel efficiency averaging over 40 mpg. Two 2006 Volkswagon diesel models with manual transmissions-the VW New Beetle and the VW Golf-average 40 mpg.
What about vehicles that run on alternative fuels? The 2006 Honda Civic GX NGV (natural gas vehicle) has a driving range of about 250 miles and is sold with a device that allows owners to refuel the car at home using natural gas. Like some hybrids, natural gas vehicles may qualify for a federal tax credit and unrestricted carpool lane access. Flexible-fuel vehicles (FFVs) are offered by some manufacturers that can run on straight gasoline or E85, a blend of 85 percent ethanol, 15 percent gasoline, or on B5, a blend of 5 percent biodiesel, 95 percent petroleum diesel. Unfortunately, because FFVs are not optimized to run exclusively on E85, fuel economy may drop.

Can variations in model trim provide improved fuel efficiency in gasoline models?

Yes. A good example is the 2005 gasoline model, the Honda Civic HX Lean Burn, which averages 39 mpg. The 2006 Toyota Corolla averages 36 mpg with a manual transmission and 33 mpg with an automatic transmission.

What 2006 SUVs, minivans, trucks, and station wagons offer the best mileage in their class?

The most fuel-efficient SUV is the Ford Escape hybrid-the two-wheel-drive model averages 33 mpg and the four-wheel-drive model averages 31 mpg. The manual Pontiac Vibe and the Toyota Corolla Matrix are the most fuel-efficient wagons, both averaging 33 mpg. The most fuel-efficient minivan is the Honda Odyssey, averaging 23 mpg. The most fuel-efficient pickup trucks are the Ford Ranger and Mazda B2300 two-wheel drive, both averaging 26 mpg.

Do hybrid cars offer environmental benefits beyond fuel efficiency?

Hybrid car owners not only spend less time at the pump and less money on gas, they also have lower car maintenance expense, may qualify for federal tax credits, and conserve the environment through ultra-low emission vehicles. Many hybrids are Advanced Technology Partial Zero Emission Vehicles (AT-PZEV) and are 90 percent cleaner than the average 2005 car. The gasoline engine shuts off while idling, reducing fuel consumption and emissions. Some hybrids can also run in electric-only mode while in stop-and-go traffic. PZEV's meet the California Air Resources Board Super Ultra-Low Emission Vehicle (SULEV) standard, the cleanest emission standard that a car can meet for noxious pollutants such as hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, and particulate matter.

Have there been any mechanical problems with hybrids?

A few minor glitches have occurred, as to be expected with new technology. Toyota recently announced the voluntary recall of some 2004 and early 2005 Prius models to repair an electrical component at no charge.

Can the fuel efficiency of any vehicle be improved by the driver?

Fuel efficiency can be improved through proper tightening of the vehicle gas cap to prevent fuel vaporization, properly inflated tires, regular engine maintenance, replacement of spark plugs and air filters, observing speed limits, avoiding excessive engine idling, consolidating daily trips and errands, removing excess weight from the trunk, avoiding sudden accelerations, keeping windows closed at highway speeds, and wise use of air conditioning. Carpooling one or more days per week, using alternative modes of transportation when possible, or reducing the miles driven between home and work can also help conserve fuel.

What is the best way to compare the fuel efficiency and greenhouse gas emissions of all vehicle makes and models?

Visit www.fueleconomy.gov.

What immediate action can Sierra Club members take to help raise the overall fuel economy of our cars and light trucks and curb global warming?

For more information visit www.sierraclub.org/globalwarming/ , www.sierraclub.org/globalwarming/cleancars/cafe/ and www.edmunds.com.