Toyota Prius scores highest GVG score
September 8, 2009 by Matt Brogan
The new Toyota Prius is officially Australia’s greenest car with the highest five-star environmental rating being confirmed by the Federal Government’s Green Vehicle Guide (GVG).
The new Prius has the best combined greenhouse and air pollution ratings of any car sold in Australia and is the only car on the market to score nine out of a possible 10 points for its ultra-low greenhouse-gas emissions.
It also achieves 8.5 out of 10 for its excellent air-pollution performance. The total score of 17.5 out of 20 is the best of any car sold in Australia.
The third-generation Prius emits just 89 grams per kilometre of carbon-dioxide and has a combined average fuel economy figure of 3.9 litres per 100km.
Toyota Australia’s senior executive director sales and marketing David Buttner said Prius customers can drive an environmentally sound car without sacrificing space, comfort or performance.
“Prius achieves the number one green vehicle ranking as a full-size five-seat car powered by a 1.8-litre four-cylinder engine and an electric motor,” said Mr Buttner. “New Prius has an improved Hybrid Synergy Drive system that increases performance at the same time as cutting emissions to levels never before seen in Australia. The hybrid technology that makes Prius Australia’s greenest car will be extended to the locally built Hybrid Camry, due to be launched in early 2010.”
Mr Buttner said it was important to note that none of the five-star performers in the Green Vehicle Guide are diesel vehicles, even where their fuel consumption is relatively good.
According to the Guide, the amount of particulate matter and oxides of nitrogen generally emitted by diesel vehicles contributes more to air pollution than emissions from comparative petrol or LPG vehicles.
For more information on the new Toyota Prius, click here.
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If this Prius is 5 start now, where does this leave Hydrogen cars in the future etc?
I’d say gave at the maximum 5 star ratng too easily.
The Cerato hybrid LPi emits only 99 grams of CO2 per kilometer and is 3.9ltrs per 100 klms. And you could own one for less than $25k. So i will have to pay over $40k to get 10 grams better than Kia? Why is the Prius so expencive?
Where can I get one?? They are not being sold in Australia.
Next year.
Agreed- the star ratings are awarded too easily. If the GVG were serious, it would also take into account the environmental cost of production, as well as the recyclability at end-of-life.
Agreed. Everything should be taken into account. Not just the end result.
Also agree … whole of life is the only true measure.
Yes i totally agree with the above comments!!!!!!
GVG and Toyota should take note that people aren’t as stupid or gullible as they think we are, in fact only environmental posers (and i emphasise MENTAL) will be fooled by not taking into account all the energy and toxic metals used in production and disposal of these so called “GREEN” cars!! More like monstrosities to me!!
Toyota has debunked this myth.
Refer to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aKnNEVdtzi4
It amazes me how they never factor in how un-green it is to make the batteries for the hybrids, a small diesel would run rings around a Prius if they actually looked at more than just l/100km figures.
and this is why VW will be number one by or before 2018
Bio diesel produced from algae cultures which feed off the carbon dioxide from the coal power station which send electricity to EVs will be the partial solution towards more sustainable privite transport in a lower carbon economy future.