howdy,

here is the criteria for their "Green Car" book:

<snip>
We analyze automakers' test results for fuel economy and emissions as
reported to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the California Air
Resources Board, along with other specifications reported by automakers. We
estimate pollution from vehicle manufacturing, from the production and
distribution of fuel and from vehicle tailpipes. We count air pollution,
such as fine particles, nitrogen oxides, hydrocarbons and other pollutants
according to the health problems caused by each pollutant. We then factor in
greenhouse gases (such as carbon dioxide) and combine the emissions
estimates into a Green Score that runs on a scale from 0 to 100. The top
vehicles this year score a 57, the average is 27 and the worst gas-guzzlers
score around 10. Further information can be found on the GreenerCars.com
Methodology page. 

<un-snip>

plus the toureg fails miserable in their three biggies: tailpipe emissions
take under  normal driving conditions, fuel economy, and curb weight.

<snip>

Three types of vehicle-specific data form the basis of the ACEEE's Green
BookR ratings: tailpipe emissions, given by the emissions standard to which
a vehicle is certified; fuel economy, based on EPA test cycles; and vehicle
mass (curb weight).

<un-snip>

I'd still drive one, if I could plunk 57k.

robyn

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
David Brodbeck
Sent: Monday, February 16, 2004 7:24 AM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Re: "green" cars (NVC)

On Mon, 16 Feb 2004, Kim Brennan wrote:

> Okay, so news.google.com referenced an article on "green" vehicles and 
> which were the best and which were the worst. According to these folks 
> (not google, that was just how I found it) www.greenercars.com, the VW 
> Touareg V10 TDI, was the worst "green" car. even though it has better 
> fuel economy (17 city, 23 hwy) than a LOT of other vehicles.

Maybe something to do with the high particulate (soot) and NOx levels from
diesels?

David Brodbeck, N8SRE
'82 Volkswagen Diesel Westfalia
'86 Volvo 240DL wagon