More oil prices in the news. Bush went crawling off to the Saudis to beg for lower oil prices. Meanwhile, the energy bill passed in the house as a big sell out to traditional sources of energy (now is the time to google MTBE, a gasoline additive poisoning our waterways).
As American leaders take several steps backwards, American consumers are taking the lead on making smart choices by buying hybrid vehicles. Lists are out of the 12 Greenest and 12 Meanest vehicles for 2005, so if you are looking for a car, see if you can pick one that is one of the greenest. And what if you have a large family and really need a gas guzzler? At least avoid the 12 meanest. (You can also look up your car)
The Greenest
| Make & Model | Specifications | Emission Standard | MPG: City | MPG: Hwy | Green Score |
| HONDA CIVIC GX | 1.7L 4, auto CVT [CNG] | PZEV | 30 | 34 | 57 |
| HONDA INSIGHT | 1.0L 3, auto CVT | SULEV II | 57 | 56 | 56 |
| TOYOTA PRIUS | 1.5L 4, auto CVT | PZEV | 60 | 51 | 53 |
| HONDA CIVIC HYBRID | 1.3L 4, auto CVT | PZEV | 47 | 48 | 51 |
| TOYOTA COROLLA | 1.8L 4, manual | ULEV II | 32 | 41 | 44 |
| TOYOTA ECHO | 1.5L 4, manual | Tier 2 bin 9 | 35 | 42 | 43 |
| NISSAN SENTRA | 1.8L 4, manual | PZEV | 28 | 35 | 42 |
| HONDA CIVIC HX | 1.7L 4, manual | ULEV I | 36 | 44 | 42 |
| PONTIAC VIBE / TOYOTA MATRIX | 1.8L 4, manual | ULEV II | 30 | 36 | 41 |
| MAZDA 3 | 2.0L 4, manual | PZEV | 28 | 35 | 41 |
| FORD ESCAPE HYBRID | 2.3L 4, auto CVT | PZEV | 36 | 31 | 40 |
| FORD FOCUS / FOCUS WAGON | 2.0L 4, manual | PZEV | 26 | 35 | 40 |
The Meanest
| Make & Model | Specifications | Emission Standard | MPG: City | MPG: Hwy | Green Score |
| DODGE RAM SRT10 | 8.3L 10, auto [P] | Tier 2 bin 10 | 9 | 12 | 11 |
| FORD EXCURSION | 5.4L 8, auto 4wd | Tier 2 bin 11 | 13 | 17 | 13 |
| HUMMER H2 | 6.0L 8, auto 4wd | Tier 2 bin 11 | 13 | 17 | 13 |
| MERCEDES-BENZ G55 AMG | 5.4L 8, auto 4wd [P] | Tier 2 bin 10 | 12 | 14 | 13 |
| LAMBORGHINI MURCIELAGO | 6.2L 12, manual 4wd [P] | LEV I | 9 | 13 | 14 |
| GMC YUKON XL K2500 | 6.0L 8, auto 4wd | Tier 2 bin 11 | 13 | 17 | 14 |
| CHEVROLET SUBURBAN K2500 | 6.0L 8, auto 4wd | Tier 2 bin 11 | 14 | 17 | 14 |
| LAND ROVER RANGE ROVER | 4.4L 8, auto stk 4wd [P] | Tier 2 bin 10 | 12 | 16 | 14 |
| BENTLEY ARNAGE | 6.8L 8, auto [P] | LEV I | 10 | 14 | 14 |
| MERCEDES-BENZ G500 | 5.0L 8, auto 4wd [P] | Tier 2 bin 10 | 13 | 14 | 15 |
| LAMBORGHINI GALLARDO | 5.0L 10, manual 4wd [P] | LEV I | 9 | 15 | 15 |
| DODGE RAM 1500 PICKUP | 4.7L 8, auto 4wd | Tier 2 bin 10 | 12 | 16 | 15 |
The Energy Bill is so awful, I really almost cried over it last week. The one encouraging thing is that it isn't a law yet because it must get through the Senate. I'm sure the Senate would enjoy mail from you.
