PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT: ALTERNATIVE FUEL VEHICLES AND TECHOLOGY

FREE GOVERNMENT GUIDE POWERS FLEET PURCHASING OF ENERGY-EFFICIENT, ALTERNATIVE-FUEL CARS AND TRUCKS

To help fleet owners and car buyers choose the most fuel-efficient vehicles that meet their needs, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable

Energy (EERE), and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) produce the annual Fuel Economy Guide. The EPA compiles the fuel economy data and DOE publishes it in print and on the Web. Each vehicle receives both city and highway fuel economy estimates, with m.p.g. figures based on lab testing and adjusted to reflect real-world driving conditions for an average motorist.

Vehicles are tested in the same manner to allow fair comparisons. The Model Year 2005 guide provides annual fuel cost estimates for each vehicle based on 15,000 mi. driven per year (55% city, 45% highway) and based on fuel costs of $ 1.80/gal. for regular unleaded and $ 1.95/gal. for premium unleaded gasoline.

Vehicles are organized first by class, then alphabetically by manufacturer and model, and by specific configurations within model types. Alternative-fuel vehicles are highlighted and flexible-fuel vehicles have an entry for each fuel type. Those vehicles requiring premium-grade gasoline also are noted.