What’s the greenest car for me?

Hybrids, electric or diesel? Oh my! What’s an environmentally conscious car consumer to do?

Need a new car? Go green!

Turns out the answer depends more on your driving habits than technology.  “The manner in which a driver pilots their vehicle makes the most impact of all,” said Daniel Gray, editor of MPGomatic.    “As I road test cars, week-after-week, I never cease to be amazed by hybrid drivers that fly past on the Interstate highway, exceeding the speed limit by fifteen or twenty miles per hour. At these speeds, there is no environmental advantage to driving a hybrid.”

Whatever car is right for you make sure to be light on the gas since a lead foot will lower MPG and waste fuel.

Where you live will also impact how you drive your vehicle.  “If you live in smaller cities like Oklahama City, Buffalo, Santa Rosa, Butte, etc – then consider a vehicle that is gasoline powered and gets higher fuel efficiency,” said Lauren Fix of CarZen. “If you tow a trailer of any kind or tend to carry heavier loads then Diesel is your best bet. The diesel engine features the most successful efficiency technology in the world.”

“If you live in a major metropolitan city like DS, LA, NY, Chicago, Dallas – then a hybrid gas/electric is your best choice,” Fix said. “Sitting at zero equals zero miles to the gallon.”

Unfortunately for plug-in drivers not all localities are equal. Depending on how electricity is generated (coal vs wind, etc) a Prius may be greener than a completely electric car in some areas of the country according to the folks at Brighter Planet.

“The long and short of it is driving 100 miles in a Prius emits 40 lbs of CO₂e across all states whereas driving 100 miles in a Volt in Kansas emits 53 lbs, in California 19 lbs, and in Massachusetts 25 lbs. When electricity comes from burning coal, the Prius is hands-down greener than charging your Volt from the garage outlet.” They even have a handy map of where it’s better to drive either a Prius or a Volt.

New technology options can put unnecessary pressure on consumers to update what they have whether a cell phone or a car. Terra Wellington, author of The Mom’s Guide to Growing Your Family Green , reminds car shoppers that if they don’t drive a lot, less than 200 miles a week, and have an older vehicle they might not need a new car.  Once the cost, production impact and waste are factored in, the lower emissions and higher MPG might not be worth it. But if a new vehicle is a must think alternative.

“Many industry analysts believe that oil production has peaked, so the less dependent you can be on gasoline and diesel fuels the better,” Wellington said.  “Gas and diesel prices will continue to go up. So if a new car is in your future, go with the most fuel efficient, alternative fuel vehicle.”

Waste vegetable oil is probably the most alternative fuel one can get right now. Instead of pulling up to a gas station, stop at a fast food joint. Fuel is free, plant based and will just be thrown out anyway.

“Here is a sincere warning that goes out to anyone considering converting a car to run on Waste Vegetable Oil (WVO) as I did: you are about to become a rock star,” said Tonya Kay at EcoHearth. “After only one visit, restaurants will know you by name, auto shops will call their friends to show you off, and people in the parking lot will want pictures with you with greasy hands.”

A used diesel car plus a few add-ons to heat and filter the veggie oil could have you cruisin’ and commuting in low-carbon style with the delicious scent of French fries wafting behind you.

What do you drive and why? Yell it out!

Elizabeth Ulion is a graduate student at Northwestern University. She dreams of a city with well funded pub trans and little need for personal vehicles.

Photo courtesy of footloosiety/Flickr.