Toyota Prius Tops Among Gasoline-Powered Cars
With dealers now taking orders for Toyota's hybrid gasoline-electric Prius, North American consumers can purchase an environmentally friendly, affordable and practical sedan. The American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy (ACEEE), publisher of the Green Book, announced Tuesday that the Prius received its highest rating for a gasoline-powered vehicle. Read More
With dealers now taking orders for Toyota’s hybrid gasoline-electric Prius, North American consumers can purchase an environmentally friendly, affordable and practical sedan. The American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy (ACEEE), publisher of the Green Book, announced Tuesday that the Prius received its highest rating for a gasoline-powered vehicle.
The Prius is also the first car to be marketed nationwide that meets both pollution and efficiency requirements of the Clean Car Standard developed by a coalition of environmental groups.
The Prius, which uses both electricity and gas, emits almost 90% less air pollution than a new vehicle meeting current federal requirements and is more than 50% more fuel-efficient than comparable conventional cars. Honda also introduced a hybrid to the U.S. market this year, the two-seater Insight, which received a lower rating in ACEEE’s Green Book.
“Just as oppressive summer smog descends on U.S. cities, the technology that can help clear the air has hit the market,” said Kevin Mills, an Environmental Defense auto industry expert.
“At last, Americans have practical, reasonably priced cars that meet our driving needs with dramatically lower emissions of the pollutants that foul the air and harm our health,” Mills said.
The Prius, which achieves 52 miles per gallon in city driving, provides consumers with a cushion against rising gas prices. At today’s prices, the average driver would save almost $300 a year at the pump driving a Prius rather than a typical compact sedan. The Prius also is more convenient, traveling about 600 miles between fill-ups.
