Save green – go green – BE green. I’m a little sick of the term “green,” but it says so much about what it is referring to. What if you want to get a used green (EPA) car and save some green (cash)? Here is a list of vehicles that are not only thrifty, but have excellent EPA numbers. In fact, all of these vehicles achieve a “SmartWay” certification from the EPA.
I opted to forgo all of the used hybrids as many are common knowledge and wanted to show some vehicles that many people may not realize are very environmentally friendly. Okay, I did add a few hybrids too… they get such good mileage, can you blame me?
“SmartWay is a designation earned by those vehicles that score a 6 or better on each of the Air Pollution and Greenhouse Gas Scores and achieve a combined score of at least 13 when added together. Higher Air Pollution Scores indicate vehicles with reduced levels of emissions that cause smog and health problems. Higher Greenhouse Gas Scores indicate vehicles with reduced levels of emissions that cause greenhouse gases and have improved fuel economy. SmartWay Elite is a designation given to those vehicles that score 9 or better on each of the Greenhouse Gas and Air Pollution Scores.” - http://www.epa.gov/greenvehicles
APS = Air Pollution Score (10 = best)
GGS = Greenhouse Gas Score (10 = best)
Here’s a list of 10 used vehicles that are very green:
2.0 liter 4-cylinder 5-speed manual, EPA estimated 24 mpg city and 32 mpg highway. The Mazda 3 is one of the best cars you can buy for the money. Fun, roomy and economical, the 2004 Mazda 3 achieves a very good SmartWay EPA accreditation with 9.5 APS and 8 GGS.
1 liter 3-cylinder, EPA estimated 45 mpg city and 49 mpg highway. This neat, spunky little 2-seat coupe is still one of the most frugal cars on the road. The 2004 Honda Insight achieves an impressive SmartWay “Elite” accreditation with 9 APS and 10 GGS.
1.8 liter 5-speed manual (the 4-speed automatic gets 1 mpg less on the highway), an EPA estimated 24 mpg city and 32 mpg highway. The spunky little Sentra boasts good room, great road manners and a great reputation. The 2005 Nissan Sentra achieves an impressive SmartWay EPA accreditation with 9.5 APS and 8 GGS.
2.0 liter 4-cylinder 5-speed manual, EPA estimated 24 mpg city and 31 mpg highway. This car was a replacement for the Mitsubishi Mirage. Although far mellower in design and performance than the current Lancer, the 2005 Lancer is a smooth, economical ride. The 2005 Mitsubishi Lancer achieves a SmartWay EPA accreditation with 7 APS and 8 GGS.