The Information Superhighway Can Show You the Way
In today's market there are as many cars, trucks and SUVs available as Oprah Winfrey has shoes. How can a person decide on which ones to test drive, let alone purchase? Furthermore, consumer resources to help narrow down the options have become almost as varied and complex as the vehicles they're covering.
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| With all the emphasis on the fastest and fanciest cars, sometimes the earth friendly models don't get enough attention. (Photo: Honda) |
Of course auto manufacturers have their own creative ways of capturing our individual attention and luring us down to their local dealers, marketing. There are print, radio, TV and web ads boasting the fastest, fanciest, funkiest, and most fandangled new cars, trucks and SUVs on the planet, and even a few that promote earth friendliness. As the sustainable and alternative energy guru on this publication's writing staff, these are the vehicles that catch my attention. My focus is always targeted on what car leaves the least environmental footprint, while still offering as many of the attributes we, as consumers, have grown to appreciate over the years.
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| While there is a plethora of traditional car awards, not until recently has there been environmentally focused automotive specific awards. (Photo: Toyota) |
I often finger walk through the information superhighway and chat with other green auto industry champions, and by so doing have come up with a few favorite resources that most anyone from an average driver to a car enthusiast should find valuable. After all, now everyone seems to agree that environmental factors have become important issues when it comes time to buy a car.
Auto manufacturers often get marketing mileage out of awards. While some, like the various 'Car of the Year' awards or '10 Best' picks focus on styling, performance and overall value, others such as the Sierra Club's Excellence in Environmental Engineering, the AFV Hero Awards from the U.S. Department of Energy, or the EPA's Climate Protection Award, support the green movement. But these awards aren't automotive specific, and rarely will help environmentally focused buyer's choose the car that's best for them.