| As much as you try, bicycling and public | | | | vehicles, including your own to use as a baseline. |
| transportation just won't cut it. Perhaps your home is | | | | While you may not see a direct impact on your |
| far from a transit hub, or you simply live in a region | | | | wallet from reduced emission levels, you are making |
| where public transportation is ineffective. Bicycles are | | | | a choice that benefits everyone, at no additional cost |
| out of the question for any length of trip because | | | | to yourself. As an example, an EPA SmartWay or |
| your bike lanes are approximately 12 inch strips on | | | | higher rated vehicle is so clean, it would have to be |
| the right side of the road (welcome to my city). | | | | driven many thousands of miles to equal the air |
| Even carpooling, while beneficial for certain | | | | pollution generated by running a lawn mower for one |
| destinations, cannot always assist in getting groceries | | | | hour (Of course, this raises many valid questions |
| and other necessities. So, as green as you strive to | | | | about the lawn mower). In addition, residents of |
| be, there's no way around having a car. | | | | certain states may purchase vehicles with a Partial |
| Do not despair! There are many options available that | | | | Zero Emission Vehicle (PZEV) rating, nearly the same |
| can help minimize your impacts. The first decision | | | | standard hybrids such as the Civic and Prius are |
| should go without saying, but with marketing | | | | required to meet. The tailpipe emissions of these cars |
| messages coming from all angles, rational thought can | | | | are often cleaner than the ambient air in your own |
| be swayed by its influence. Most simply, buy the | | | | city! Don't take that as an endorsement to breathe |
| largest vehicle you need, yet the smallest you can | | | | through your car's exhaust, but understand the |
| manage. While that new 7-seater with half-ton pickup | | | | improvements being made on vehicle emissions. |
| bed seems like a great idea for transporting | | | | One final note: In 2008, the EPA changed their MPG |
| landscaping supplies concurrently with the soccer | | | | reporting standards. This means that vehicles of |
| team, you have to ask yourself; will the majority of | | | | model year 2008 or later are using the new numbers, |
| this vehicle's use be embracing its many features? If | | | | however, 2007 and earlier models are based on a |
| not, you can likely look to a smaller, more efficient, | | | | separate calculation. When shopping for used cars, it |
| and cheaper mode of transportation. | | | | may appear that an older model achieves |
| Now that you have identified the class of vehicle, it's | | | | substantially better fuel economy than the new |
| time to decide between new versus pre-owned. | | | | model, but this difference is more than likely |
| Unfortunately, from an environmental standpoint, | | | | attributed to the changed reporting. Why was this |
| there is little agreement amongst researchers on | | | | done? To confuse the consumers in an already |
| which is the "greener" choice. While an older, | | | | stressful situation? No, rather, the new fuel economy |
| inefficient vehicle is obviously less desired than a new | | | | standards should better reflect the normal usage of a |
| and extremely efficient hybrid or compact car, | | | | vehicle (A/C on more often, driving at faster highway |
| further questions arise on the fate of the original one | | | | speeds, etc.). What does this all mean to you, the |
| and energy/resources used for the construction of | | | | consumer? Finally, the numbers you see on the |
| the new vehicle. Without delving into conjecture and | | | | sticker are likely what you will see when driving. On |
| independent statistics, leave it at this: If you | | | | the Green Vehicle Guide mentioned earlier, the EPA |
| absolutely need a car, pursue the best value for the | | | | has posted adjusted MPG numbers for some older |
| dollar over its lifetime, including both new and used in | | | | model year vehicles for appropriate comparison. |
| your consideration. | | | | Now if only they would help decide between the |
| Use the EPA's Green Vehicle Guide to learn about the | | | | hardtop and convertible... |
| overall emissions and fuel usage from a variety of | | | | |