Advancing Clean Energy for a Sustainable Economy
Clean Transportation Program | 919-515-3480 | www.cleantransportation.org
Green Vehicle Guide : Best vehicles by size class for 2012
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Green Vehicle Guide provides fuel economy estimates
and tailpipe emission levels on user customized vehicle selections. Fuel economy estimates in miles per
gallon (MPG) are provided from city and highway driving simulations. Air Pollution and Greenhouse Gas
Scores (GHG) allow comparison between all vehicle makes and model years. Air Pollution Scores represent the Emission Standard (Bin) met by each vehicle model certified through exhaust monitoring. Vehicles
scoring the highest are certified to the lowest Bin and have zero smog producing tailpipe emissions. By
2010 vehicle manufacturers were required to meet a Bin 5 average across all the vehicles they produced .The EPA GHG Score is calculated based on fuel economy and reflects tailpipe emissions of carbon
dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide. Vehicles with higher fuel economy or lower carbon content fuel create
less GHGs and have higher scores.
The American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEE) Green Book rates vehicles based on fuel
economy and emissions reported to the EPA. In addition to pollution estimates from vehicle manufacturing,
fuel production and distribution, other lifecycle GHG emissions are assessed in the development of Green
Scores. Models are ranked within vehicle class sizes and compared to overall yearly average Green Score.
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) fuel
economy website lists the top fuel efficient vehicles by size and offers side by side comparisons across all makes, models, and years. Users can compare fuel economy and emission
scores, with additional estimates for annual petroleum consumption and fuel lifecycle GHG
emissions.
The new 2013 window stickers required by the
EPA will help consumers compare energy use,
fuel cost, and environmental impact between
traditional gasoline-powered, and advanced
technology vehicles. The NC Solar Center selected the 2012 Greenest Vehicles for each size
class by comparing EPA, DOE, and ACEEE ratings. (see next page)
Find & Compare Vehicles:
www.epa.gov/greenvehicles
www.greenercars.org www.greenercars.org
This document is supported ithrough the Clean Fuel Advanced Technology project
with funding from the N.C. Department of Transportation.
North Carolina State University, Campus Box 7401, Raleigh, NC 27695 | 919-515-3480 | www.ncsc.ncsu.edu | 3/14/12
Clean Transportation Program | 919-515-3480 | www.cleantransportation.org
Greenest Vehicles of 2012 by Size Class and Fuel Technology
Hybrid
Petroleum Fuel
Alternative Fuel
Honda Civic Hybrid
Honda Civic HF
Mitsubishi i-MiEV
1.8L - 4cyl, Auto 5 speed
1.8L - 4cyl, Auto 5 speed, Gasoline
Electric
44/44 MPG
Compact
Car
Bin 1
Hyundai Accent
Honda Civic GX
1.8L - 4cyl, Auto, Natural Gas
27/38 MPG Bin 2
Honda Insight
Ford Focus SFE
Cheverolet Volt
1.3L - 4cyl, Auto CVT
2.0L - 4cyl, Automated Manual, Gasoline
1.4L - 4cyl, Auto CVT
Bin 3
28/40 MPG
Bin 4
Electric 95/93 MPGe *first 35 miles
Premium Gas 35/40 MPG Bin 4
Toyota Prius
Cheverolet Cruze Eco
Nissan Leaf
1.8L - 4cyl, Auto CVT
51/48 MPG Bin 3
1.4L- 4cyl, Manual, Gasoline
28/42 MPG Bin 4
Electric - Range: 73 miles
106/92 MPGe Bin 1
Toyota Camry Hybrid
2.5L- 4cyl, Auto CVT
43/39 MPG Bin 3
Hyundai Elantra
1.8L - 4cyl, Auto/Man, Gasoline
29/40 MPG Bin 5
Buick Regal
2.4L - 4 cyl, Auto, FFV
MPG: Gas 19/31, E85 15/22 Bin 4
Nissan Sentra
Cheverolet Malibu
2.0L - 4cyl, Auto, Gasoline
27/34 MPG Bin 5
2.4L - 4 cyl, Semi-Auto, FFV
MPG: Gas 22/33, E85 15/23 Bin 4
Volkswagen Passat
Saab 9-5
2.0L - 4cyl, Manual, Diesel
2.0L - 4 cyl, Manual, FFV
Ford Fusion Hybrid,
Lincoln MKZ Hybrid FWD
2.5L - 4cyl, Auto
41/36 MPG Bin 3
Bin 2
Toyota Prius v
1.8L - 4cyl, CVT
44/40 MPG
Bin 3
Ford C-Max Hybrid
2.0L - 4cyl, CVT
Coming Fall 2012
31/43 MPG
Bin 5
Audi A3
2L - 4cyl, Semi-Auto, Diesel
42/30 MPG
Bin 5
Hyundai Sonata
2.4L - 4cyl, Auto/Man Gasoline
24/35 MPG
Bin 5
MPG: Gas 20/33, E85 15/23
Bin 4
Chevrolet Impala
3.6L - 6cyl, Auto 6 speed, FFV
MPG: Gas 18/30, E85 13/22
Bin 4
Chrysler 300
3.6L - 6cyl, Auto 8 speed, FFV
MPG: Gas 19/31, E85 14/23
Bin 4
Ford Escape Hybrid
Honda CR-V
Chevrolet Equinox, GMC Terrain
2.5L - 4cyl, Auto CVT
2.4L - 4cyl, Auto, Gasoline
2.4L - 4cyl, Auto 6 speed, FFV
34/31 MPG
Bin 3
Toyota Highlander Hybrid
3.5L - 6cyl, Auto
28/28 MPG
Bin 3
Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Hybrid
(2WD or 4WD)
6.0L - 8cyl, Auto CVT
Pickup
Truck
126/99 MPGe *62 mile range
1.6L - 4cyl, Auto/Man 6 speed, Gasoline
30/40 MPG Bin 5
35/40 MPG
S.U.V.
Bin 5
Lexus CT 200h
KIA Optima Hybrid, Hyundai Sonata
Hybrid
2.4L - 4 cyl, Auto
Large Car
29/41 MPG
1.8L - 4cyl, Auto
43/40 MPG Bin 3
41/44 MPG
Midsize Car
Bin 2
20/23 MPG
Bin 5
23/31 MPG
Bin 5
Hyundai Tucson, Kia Sportage
2.4L - 4cyl, Auto, Gasoline
22/32 MPG
Bin 5
Cheverolet Colorado, GMC Canyon,
& Crew Cabs
2.9L - 4cyl, Auto/Man, Gasoline
18/25 MPG
Bin 4
MPG: Gas 22/32, E85 15/22
Bin 4
Ford Escape
3.0L - 6cyl, Auto, FFV
MPG: Gas 19/25, E85 14/19
Bin 4
Chevrolet Silverado C1500 XFE
5.3L - 8cyl, Auto, FFV
MPG: Gas 15/22, E85 11/16
Bin 4
GMC Sierra 1500 Hybrid (2WD or 4WD)
Toyota Tacoma
Ford F-150
6.0L - 8cyl, Auto CVT
2.7L - 4cyl, Manual 2WD, Gasoline
3.7L - 6cyl, Auto/Semi-Auto, 2WD, FFV
20/23 MPG
Bin 5
21/25 MPG
Bin 5
MPG: Gas 17/23, E85 12/17
Bin 4
MPG=miles per gallon (city/highway) , MPGe=MPG equivalent, Bin=Tailpipe Emission Standard, FFV=Flex Fuel Vehicle
North Carolina State University, Campus Box 7401, Raleigh, NC 27695 | 919-515-3480 | www.ncsc.ncsu.edu | 3/14/12