The choice of vehicle that you drive has a greater effect on the environment than any other choice you make as a consumer. There are enormous differences in tailpipe emissions and fuel economy, not just between different types of vehicles, but even within the same type. The following guide will help you buy a greener vehicle, whatever your personal needs are. There are a number of choices for purchasing a green vehicle.
Advanced vehicles offer the greatest environmental benefits.
Cars and trucks powered by alternative fuels are an important stepping stone to clean cars and trucks. For gasoline vehicles, the higher the fuel economy, the lower the emission of heat-trapping gases. These cars and trucks go beyond conventional combustion engines to offer the greatest environmental benefits. Battery electrics are on the road today, hybrids will enter showrooms later this year, and fuel cells could be on the market as soon as 2004. With no tailpipe emissions, these vehicles can be up to 99 percent cleaner than gasoline vehicles, even when power plant emissions are included.