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EPA unveils list of top `green' vehicles

Journalists gather in front of a stage at a press conference outside the Environmental Protection Administration building yesterday as it announced its list of the most fuel-efficient cars. PHOTO: GEORGE TSORNG, TAIPEI TIMES

Amid talk of a fuel price increase next month, prospective green-minded car buyers will be able to make a better-informed choice after the Environmental Protec-tion Administration (EPA) yesterday published its list of the seven most fuel-efficient cars.

Out of 110 models evaluated, the Smart Fortwo 1.0 coupe (by the Mercedes-Benz Group) distanced itself from its competitors, taking the top spot for lowest levels of greenhouse gas emissions with the highest fuel efficiency, Department of Protection and Noise Control director-general Hsiao Hui-chuan (蕭慧娟) said.

The runners-up were the Toyota Prius (hybrid) 1.5, the Suzuki SX4 1.6, the Nissan Tiida 1.6, the Toyota Vios 1.5, the Toyota Yaris 1.5 and the Honda Civic 1.8, Hsiao said.

"All 110 models on the market were screened using three benchmark criteria," Hsiao said.

The criteria included the California emission standards for Super Ultra Low Emission Vehicles -- the strictest emissions standard in the world -- noise levels under the EPA's fourth-stage regulations published last year and fuel-efficiency of 14.5km per liter or better, Hsiao said.

The cars were ranked according to their greenhouse gas emissions, including carbon monoxide (CO), nitrous oxide and non-methane hydrocarbons, Hsiao said.

Although the Toyota Prius has a fuel efficiency of 25.5km per liter on highways and 24.1km in the city and the Smart does 24.4km per liter on highways and 15.6km in the city, they failed to top the list because they emitted slightly more carbon monoxide than the winner, Hsiao said.

"The difference, however, is negligible -- both cars are fairly clean," she said.

Last on the winners' list, the Suzuki SX4 only achieved a city fuel-efficiency of 10.8km per liter, she said.

Asked about the consumer makeup of the Prius, considered the most environmentally friendly car, Toyota general manager Steven Yang (楊湘泉) said that "most Prius-owners are green-minded people who work in the Science Park or are doctors."

The NT$1 million (US$33,300)-plus price tag comes in large part from import taxes, he said.

The EPA said yesterday that the most fuel-efficient vehicle was not four-wheeled, however, adding that it had also selected the top six environmentally friendly scooters.

The Kymco SR G5 125 came on top of the list, Hsiao said.

In addition, while the 125cc models averaged at 30km to 40km per liter, the third-place Yamaha New Vino 50cc came with an impressive 59.7km per liter, Hsiao said.

But in the end, neither two nor four-wheeled vehicles beat the fuel-efficiency of walking or taking the bus, she said.

"If you must buy a car or a scooter, we recommend buying an eco-friendly one. However, walking, biking, or using public transportation remain the cheapest options and they help save the environment," Hsiao said.
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