[Caevlist] Fwd: EVs Sweep Greenest List as Auto Industry Undergoes Major Shifts

[Kirk Rensmeyer]

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From: ACEEE News <aceeenews at aceee.org>
Date: Wed, Jan 23, 2019 at 7:12 AM
Subject: EVs Sweep Greenest List as Auto Industry Undergoes Major Shifts
To: <krensmey at gmail.com>


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*NEWS RELEASE*


Media Contact: Maxine Chikumbo
<mchikumbo at aceee.org?subject=GreenerCars%20release>
202.507.4292

EVs Sweep Greenest List as Auto Industry Undergoes Major Shifts

Washington, DC (January 23, 2019): For the first time in five years, amid
transformation in the auto industry, the Detroit Three automakers do not
have a single car on the annual Greenest vehicles list. As they make deep
cuts to their car fleets, their prior green superstars are either being
discontinued, lagging behind, or not yet on the 2019 market. Still, there’s
good news for consumers. Highly efficient powertrains and state-of-the-art
technology provide plenty of options for buying a greener, more efficient
vehicle, according to the 22nd GreenerCars
<http://www2.aceee.org/e/310911/2019-01-23/63gpj8/288183693?h=9r5-22moIp52JPP5Eu8ehUc6epM1j_s28FPvZp0xBcw>
ratings, released today by the American Council for an Energy-Efficient
Economy.

The federal government shutdown is keeping the Environmental Protection
Agency from providing some 2019 models with the certification that
automakers need to begin selling them—and that GreenerCars needs to score
them. This includes a few vehicles that are expected to score very well,
including the Toyota Prius and Tesla Model 3. Today’s release includes the
vast majority of model year 2019 vehicles, but ACEEE will score the missing
ones in coming months and give them a fair shot at the Greenest List
<http://www2.aceee.org/e/310911/greenest-meanest-greenest/63gpjb/288183693?h=9r5-22moIp52JPP5Eu8ehUc6epM1j_s28FPvZp0xBcw>
.

<http://www2.aceee.org/e/310911/ndustry-undergoes-major-shifts/63gpjd/288183693?h=9r5-22moIp52JPP5Eu8ehUc6epM1j_s28FPvZp0xBcw>

“Vehicles with some form of electrification, whether hybrid or battery
electric, continue to take every spot on the Greenest List,” said Eric
Junga, senior transportation research analyst at ACEEE. “Despite a few
automakers’ cutting back on their car fleets to focus on crossovers and
SUVs, the Greenest List shows that many consumers have a range of good
eco-friendly options.”

The 2019 Greenest List features the most environmentally friendly cars now
available. Each car is given a Green Score based on an environmental damage
index (EDX), which reflects the cost to human health from air pollution
associated with vehicle manufacturing, the production and distribution of
fuel or electricity, and vehicle tailpipes.



*Greenest*

*EDX*

*Green Score*

   1.

   Hyundai Ioniq Electric

0.68

67

   1.

   Hyundai Ioniq Blue

0.74

65

   1.

   BMW i3

0.74

65

   1.

   Honda Clarity Electric

0.76

64

   1.

   Kia Soul Electric

0.79

63

   1.

   Nissan Leaf

0.79

63

   1.

   Honda Insight

0.79

63

   1.

   Hyundai Kona Electric

0.80

63

   1.

   Volkswagen e-Golf

0.81

62

   1.

   Toyota Camry Hybrid LE

0.81

62

Scores for some battery electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles dropped since
last year, the result of a change in the GreenerCars scoring model that
updates the accounting of emissions associated with battery manufacturing.
Even so, battery electric and gasoline hybrid models dominate the Greenest
List, allowing consumers to minimize the environmental impacts of their
next vehicle. The Hyundai Ioniq Electric holds its top spot for the third
year, with a Green Score of 67. Other regulars include the BMW i3, Kia Soul
Electric, and Nissan Leaf.

“By turning to clever vehicle designs and state-of-the-art batteries,
automakers are making many of their offerings more efficient, at lower
cost,” Junga said. He noted that all electric vehicles on the Greenest List
start pricing below $45,000 before tax incentives, and most tout a rated
driving range of over 150 miles, bringing EVs one step closer to becoming
mainstream vehicles. Even though federal EV tax incentives have begun
phasing out for some automakers, prices are dropping and state tax
incentives may still be available. Consumers may want to inquire about
incentives.

“As these vehicles rise in popularity,” added Junga, “it’s important to
remember that the long-term benefit of EV ownership is not only in reduced
fuel cost, but also in reduced lifetime environmental impact.”

For those with requirements not quite met by current EV offerings, gasoline
hybrids are a great alternative. Popular models make the Greenest List,
including the Hyundai Ioniq Blue, a gasoline hybrid sibling to the
first-place Ioniq Electric. Toyota’s mid-size Camry Hybrid LE is not only
practical but boasts stellar fuel economy. Falling just short of the
Greenest List and soon to be discontinued is Chevrolet’s plug-in Volt, one
of Chevy’s most efficient models over its nine-year run.

For the fourth consecutive year, the Greenest List contains no vehicle with
solely an internal combustion engine. Manufacturers continue to make
impressive strides in the efficiency of gasoline engines, but adding even a
small degree of electrification can further reduce a vehicle’s lifetime
environmental impact despite the emissions from producing batteries.

Greenercars.org
<http://www2.aceee.org/e/310911/2019-01-23/63gpjg/288183693?h=9r5-22moIp52JPP5Eu8ehUc6epM1j_s28FPvZp0xBcw>
also identifies practical options in each class among widely available,
automatic transmission, gasoline, or diesel models. The Greener Choices
list includes conventional vehicles and traditional hybrids, but excludes
plug-in hybrids and pure battery electric vehicles, given the limited
availability of charging stations.

*Greener Choices*

*Vehicle Class*

*EDX*

*Green Score*

   1.

   Honda Insight

Midsize car

0.79

63

   1.

   Toyota Prius C

Compact car

0.86

61

   1.

   Kia Niro

Small wagon

0.87

60

   1.

   Chevrolet Spark

Subcompact car

1.07

54

   1.

   Honda Civic 5Dr

Large car

1.12

53

   1.

   Nissan Rogue Hybrid

Medium SUV

1.15

52

   1.

   Mazda MX-5

Two-Seater

1.19

51

   1.

   Toyota RAV4

Small SUV

1.22

50

   1.

   Volvo V90

Medium Wagon

1.28

48

   1.

   GMC Acadia

Large SUV

1.49

43

   1.

   Chrysler Pacifica

Minivan

1.54

42

   1.

   Ford F150 Base Payload

Standard pickup

1.57

41

The all-new RAV4 shows an impressive five-point jump since last year, the
result of Toyota’s own efforts to maximize the efficiency of gasoline
engines. Chevrolet’s Spark proves that efficiency can come in an affordable
package, while the utilitarian Nissan Rogue Hybrid makes a repeat
appearance. Meanwhile, Honda’s all-new Insight grows in size and
practicality, while easily out-scoring the iconic marque’s earlier
generations.

Greenercars.org
<http://www2.aceee.org/e/310911/2019-01-23/63gpjg/288183693?h=9r5-22moIp52JPP5Eu8ehUc6epM1j_s28FPvZp0xBcw>
also provides a Meanest List
<http://www2.aceee.org/e/310911/greenest-meanest-meanest/63gpjj/288183693?h=9r5-22moIp52JPP5Eu8ehUc6epM1j_s28FPvZp0xBcw>,
comprised as usual of large SUVs, pickup trucks, and European luxury cars
that are the least friendly to the environment. For the first time in many
years, Mercedes’ G550 is not the worst of the worst. The recently
redesigned luxury SUV improves combined fuel economy from 11 miles per
gallon to 14 miles per gallon, just enough to reach the fourth-worst score
of 2019.

*Meanest*

*EDX*

*Green Score*

   1.

   Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk

2.55

25

   1.

   Toyota Sequoia

2.38

27

   1.

   Mercedes-Benz AMG GLE63

2.38

28

   1.

   Mercedes-Benz G550

2.37

28

   1.

   Toyota Tundra

2.35

28

   1.

   Lexus LX 570

2.32

28

   1.

   Mercedes-Benz AMG GLS63

2.32

28

   1.

   Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT

2.30

29

   1.

   Toyota Land Cruiser Wagon

2.30

29

   1.

   Dodge Durango SRT

2.30

29

   1.

   Land Rover Range Rover LWB SVA

2.29

29

   1.

   Nissan Armada

2.29

29

Green Scores of the 1,200-plus model year 2019 vehicles are available for
free in the greenercars.org
<http://www2.aceee.org/e/310911/2019-01-23/63gpjg/288183693?h=9r5-22moIp52JPP5Eu8ehUc6epM1j_s28FPvZp0xBcw>
interactive database, along with each configuration’s fuel economy,
health-related pollution impacts, and greenhouse gas emissions. Visitors
can also turn to GreenerCars scores to determine eligibility for parking
benefits at participating LEED-certified buildings
<http://www2.aceee.org/e/310911/green-driving-parking/63gpjl/288183693?h=9r5-22moIp52JPP5Eu8ehUc6epM1j_s28FPvZp0xBcw>.
Greenercars.org also features a write-up on model year 2019 market trends
and shopping advice, as well as a consumer primer on vehicles and the
environment.

Changes to this year’s methodology include updates to estimates of vehicle
lifetime miles traveled, emissions associated with electricity production,
and emissions from the manufacturing and recycling of vehicles and their
components.

*About ACEEE: The American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy acts as
a catalyst to advance energy efficiency policies, programs, technologies,
investments, and behaviors. For information about ACEEE and its programs,
publications, and conferences, visit aceee.org
<http://www2.aceee.org/e/310911/2019-01-23/63gpjn/288183693?h=9r5-22moIp52JPP5Eu8ehUc6epM1j_s28FPvZp0xBcw>.
*

###


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