Car Makers Producing Inefficient Hybrids Claims Environmental Group

The US-based Union of Concerned Scientists released a report saying that manufacturers are producing too many hybrid models that do little to help the environment. In a study of 34 hybrid vehicles for sale in the US, the group found that only 13 of the vehicles cut their greenhouse emissions by more than 25%. It also found that nine of the models forced buyers to purchase extensive extra equipment in order to get the hybrid model. 

The organization created a Hybrid Scorecard, which analyzes each vehicle based on fuel consumption, environmental impact, value as a hybrid, and whether a buyer has to buy extra features to get a hybrid. It did this to help consumers when deciding on a hybrid car purchase based on the environment. 

The best performing vehicle according to the group is the Toyota Prius because of its relatively low cost and lowest fuel consumption. It was followed by the Honda Civic Hybrid and Honda Insight. 

The worst performing vehicle was the Volkswagen Touareg Hybrid because the buyer has to add extensive extra options to get the hybrid and the powertrain improves the car's emissions by less than 10%. The organization also chastised what it terms “muscle hybrids” like the Porsche Cayenne S Hybrid, BMW X6 hybrid and BMW 750i hybrid because they emphasize power over efficiency, which negatively affects the cars' environmental impact. 

Toyota was not completely off the hook. Its Lexus 600h L was rated one of the worst among the luxury models because of its poor fuel consumption and expense. 

The Union Concerned Scientists is a non-profit organization started at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1969. It performs independent, scientific analysis of public health concerns like clean air, water and food. 

Source: Union of Concerned Scientists