Hybrids, SUV's, Light trucks etc.

The vehicle that you choose to drive is one of the biggest ways you can control your consumption of resources and buying the appropriate vehicle for your needs is an important step towards reducing your environmental impact. Below are facts that can help you make the most environmentally efficient vehicle choice for your needs. (Listed from high efficiency to low efficiency.)

Most efficient

Hybrid vehicles

Ideal for traffic-heavy commuting,where the electric motor can provide nearly all of the required power. Hybrid cars are more expensive than non-hybrids, but government rebates and less fuel purchases often offset that cost over time.

Compact Cars

Ideal in similar circumstances as the hybrid.  Less efficient than a hybrid, but less expensive.  If the option is provided, choose a manual transmission, which will increase your fuel economy and lower both purchase price and maintenance costs.

Mild/Large Cars

Ideal for large, comfortable family travel.  Room to seat several. The larger the car, the more powerful the engine,the less fuel-efficient the vehicle. Not an ideal commuter car, more suited to trips with larger groups.

SUVs and light trucks

Ideal for light towing and hauling. High horsepower, torque and low gearing ratio make them ideal for working, but not for city or highway driving.

(There has been a trend toward light trucks and SUVs over the past few years, but the fact is less than 1 in 7 of these vehicles is ever used for what it was intended to do:  tow and haul.  Mostly, these vehicles are used as commuter cars, which they were not designed to be and therefore burn more gas than necessary.)

Least efficient

Full size vans and trucks

Ideal for travelling in large groups with lots of cargo; towing, and hauling.