The EPA rates vehicles on fuel consumption and environmental impact.
Toyota likes to brag about...
Toyota likes to brag about how much fuel its hybrid drivetrain "saves." We'll see if the number on this Southern California billboard drops when the EPA starts using more realistic mpg tests for the '08 model year. Experts think the mpg rating on window stickers will drop for gas/electric hybrids but expect the ratings for diesels to hold steady or possibly rise.
Greenhouse Gas Emissions
Our greenhouse-gas-emission rating shows the annual amount of greenhouse gases emitted by the selected vehicle in relation to the lowest and highest amounts emitted by other vehicles.
Greenhouse Gases And Your Vehicle
Greenhouse gases (GHGs) are substances in the atmosphere, such as water vapor and carbon dioxide, that trap heat near Earth's surface. Large increases in GHGs can cause global climate changes.
Carbon-dioxide exhaust from burning fossil fuels in cars and trucks is a major source of GHGs. Unlike air pollutants, carbon-dioxide exhaust cannot be curbed using emissions-reduction technologies, such as catalytic converters. The only way to reduce carbon-dioxide emissions is to reduce the amount of fossil fuel burned. Vehicles with better mpg emit fewer GHGs per mile driven.
About Our Estimates
Greenhouse gas emissions are expressed in carbon-dioxide equivalents. The greenhouse gas estimates presented here are "full-fuel-cycle estimates" and include the three major greenhouse gases emitted by motor vehicles: carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide, and methane. Full-fuel-cycle estimates consider all steps in the use of a fuel, from production and refining to distribution and final use; vehicle manufacturer is excluded.
Starting with '08 models, the EPA will base mpg numbers on tests that better represent real-world conditions including higher speeds, faster acceleration, use of air conditioning, and driving in cold temperatures. You will not be able to compare these new ratings with previous ratings.