Plus, as the technology matures, designers are finding
new and innovative ways to painlessly apply fuel-saving advances
to a wider stable of vehicles. This lets them squeeze every last
mile out of a gallon of gas without asking drivers to make a tradeoff.
The Accord Hybrid is a great example of technology
bridging the gap between the environmental activist crowd and the
desires of a typical consumer. Honda uses the hybrid motor in its
Accord as a power booster for its standard six-cylinder engine.
That makes it more powerful and offers better acceleration than
a typical Accord, while still getting more miles to the gallon than
the standard gasoline engine.
"Up until the hybrid was invented, you either
had to make large safety or performance sacrifices or get real efficiency.
Not anymore," Kahn says.
Another example of the efficient motors finding their
way into mainstream vehicles is the Ford Escape Hybrid sport utility
vehicle.
Dave Cullum, salesman at Don Bohn Ford in New Orleans,
says while his customers are typically not concerned about fuel
economy, he has heard some interest in the new Escape Hybrid.
"With the price of gas, it is something people
would consider," he says. "Unfortunately it is still
an expensive product to offer."
Escape Hybrid
Click image for larger view |
The Escape marries efficient technologies with
the safety of a larger vehicle, diffusing one of the primary roadblocks
to gas-sipping cars: safety.
Generally speaking, most fuel-efficient cars are
smaller and lighter, says Russ Rader, media relations director
for the Insurance
Institute for Highway Safety. That diminutive stature gives
them a disadvantage when pitted against bigger, less fuel-efficient
vehicles in a crash.
Finding a comfortable middle ground between rabid
conservation and fuel-devouring behemoths may be the best solution
for safety-conscious consumers, he says.
Even beyond the flashy innovations, run-of-the mill
fuel-saving advances are helping that middle ground slowly merge
into the mainstream.
"Look at even the Crown Victoria. That is a
very large car. With the computer controls and modern fuel systems,
it is much more fuel efficient than in years past," Bly says.
"AAA strongly supports the concept of adapting technology
and using alternate fuels to make current cars more environmentally
friendly."
As technology advances and designers begin incorporating
efficient systems in a wider range of vehicles, the lines between
efficiency, safety and performance will blur, Kahn says.
"Soon, people won't have to choose a camp in
the battle between efficiency and traditional priorities,"
he says. "We will be able to have it all."
These are the top 10 gas misers for 2005, according
to figures from the federal Environmental Protection Agency:
| Make |
City
|
Highway
|
| 1. Honda Insight (Hybrid) |
61
|
66
|
| 2. Toyota Prius (Hybrid) |
60
|
51
|
| 3. Honda Civic (Hybrid) |
45
|
51
|
4. Volkswagen Golf TDI (Diesel)
Volkswagen Jetta TDI (Diesel)
Volkswagen New Beetle TDI (Diesel)
|
38
38
38
|
46
46
46
|
| 5. Honda Civic HX |
36
|
44
|
| 6. Toyota Echo |
35
|
42
|
| 7. Toyota Corolla |
32
|
41
|
| 8. Scion xA |
32
|
37
|
| 9. Honda Accord (Hybrid) |
30
|
37
|
10. Pontiac Vibe and
Toyota Matrix (tie) |
30
30
|
36
36
|
These are the top 10 fuel-efficient trucks for 2005:
| Make |
City |
Highway |
| 1. Ford Escape (Hybrid) |
36 |
31 |
| 2. Toyota RAV4 |
24 |
30 |
| 3. Ford Ranger/Ford Escape |
24 |
29 |
| 4. Mazda B2300/Mazda Tribute |
24 |
29 |
| 5. Subaru Forester |
23 |
30 |
| 6. Honda CR-V |
23 |
29 |
| 7. Saturn Vue |
23 |
29 |
| 8. Chrysler PT Cruiser |
22 |
29 |
| 9. Subaru Outback Wagon |
23 |
28 |
| 10. Mitsubishi Outlander |
22 |
28 |
Michael Giusti is a freelance
writer based in New Orleans.
-- Posted: Feb. 15, 2005
