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| News from the roadway: Past 'Clean Car' Scorecards |
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Our 'clean car' road tester, Alan Richardson, decided to purchase
and drive a Honda Civic GX fueled by natural gas to lessen his impact
on the environment. These scorecards track the running total of the
economic and environmental consequences of his decision.
Fall 2008
Summer 2008
Spring 2008
Winter 2007-8
Autumn 2006
Autumn 2005
Summer 2005
Winter 2004-2005
April 2004
February 2004
November 2003
June 2003
Fall 2008
By
Alan Richardson
Period covered: Purchase date (18
October 2000) to 2 October 2008
| Distance driven: |
116,163 miles |
| Fuel purchased: |
3541 gallons gasoline equivalent (GGE) |
| Fuel economy: |
32.8 miles/GGE |
| Fuel cost of CNG used: |
$4426 |
| Average fuel cost: |
$1.25 per GGE |
| Cost economy: |
26.3 miles per dollar |
| Savings over gasoline: |
$2,788 |
| Economic payback mileage*: |
76,440 miles |
| Economic payback date*: |
1 May 2006 (Payback complete!) |
* Payback of $4500 purchase premium for natural gas fuel option
reduced by $2000 Clean Cities rebate and $2000 federal income deduction at 28%
marginal tax rate.
The environmental impact:
Estimated exhaust emissions of different passenger vehicles driven 91,029 miles
(in pounds)
| |
Average car |
California LEV** |
Civic GX |
| Hydrocarbons |
716 |
19.2 |
0.77 |
| Carbon Monoxide |
5348 |
870 |
40.9 |
| Oxides of nitrogen |
356 |
51.2 |
5.12 |
| Total |
6420 |
940.4 |
45.79 |
** This estimate is based on the standards for a 'Low Emission
Vehicle' passenger car required by California starting in 2001.
Past scorecards
Back to the 'Clean Car' index
Summer 2008
By Alan Richardson
Period covered: Purchase date (18
October 2000) to
18 June 2008
| Distance driven: |
113,539 miles |
| Fuel purchased: |
3459 gallons gasoline equivalent (GGE) |
| Fuel economy: |
32.8 miles/GGE |
| Fuel cost of CNG used: |
$4263 |
| Average fuel cost: |
$1.23 per GGE |
| Cost economy: |
26.6 miles per dollar |
| Savings over gasoline: |
$2,633 |
| Economic payback mileage*: |
79,268 miles |
| Economic payback date*: |
11 June 2006 (Payback complete!) |
* Payback of $4500 purchase premium for natural gas fuel option
reduced by $2000 Clean Cities rebate and $2000 federal income deduction at 28%
marginal tax rate.
The environmental impact:
Estimated exhaust emissions of different passenger vehicles driven 91,029 miles
(in pounds)
| |
Average car |
California LEV** |
Civic GX |
| Hydrocarbons |
700 |
18.8 |
0.75 |
| Carbon Monoxide |
5227 |
850 |
40.0 |
| Oxides of nitrogen |
348 |
50.0 |
5.00 |
| Total |
6275 |
918.8 |
45.75 |
** This estimate is based on the standards for a 'Low Emission
Vehicle' passenger car required by California starting in 2001.
Back to the 'Past Scorecards' index
To the current scorecard
Back to the 'Clean Car' index
Spring 2008
By Alan Richardson
Period covered: Purchase date (18
October 2000) to
1 April 2008
| Distance driven: |
110,565 miles |
| Fuel purchased: |
3369 gallons gasoline equivalent (GGE) |
| Fuel economy: |
32.8 miles/GGE |
| Fuel cost of CNG used: |
$4081 |
| Average fuel cost: |
$1.21 per GGE |
| Cost economy: |
27.1 miles per dollar |
| Savings over gasoline: |
$2,471 |
| Economic payback mileage*: |
82,438 miles |
| Economic payback date*: |
25 August 2006 (Payback complete!) |
* Payback of $4500 purchase premium for natural gas fuel option
reduced by $2000 Clean Cities rebate and $2000 federal income deduction at 28%
marginal tax rate.
The environmental impact:
Estimated exhaust emissions of different passenger vehicles driven 91,029 miles
(in pounds)
| |
Average car |
California LEV** |
Civic GX |
| Hydrocarbons |
682 |
18.3 |
0.73 |
| Carbon Monoxide |
5090 |
828 |
38.97 |
| Oxides of nitrogen |
339 |
48.7 |
4.87 |
| Total |
6110 |
895 |
44.57 |
** This estimate is based on the standards for a 'Low Emission
Vehicle' passenger car required by California starting in 2001.
Back to the 'Past Scorecards' index
To the current scorecard
Back to the 'Clean Car' index
Winter 2007-8
By Alan Richardson
Period covered: Purchase date (18
October 2000) to
5 December 2007
| Distance driven: |
106,337 miles |
| Fuel purchased: |
3258 gallons gasoline equivalent (GGE) |
| Fuel economy: |
32.6 miles/GGE |
| Fuel cost of CNG used: |
$3858 |
| Average fuel cost: |
$1.18 per GGE |
| Cost economy: |
27.6 miles per dollar |
| Savings over gasoline: |
$2,350 |
| Economic payback mileage*: |
83,421 miles |
| Economic payback date*: |
7 September 2006 (Payback complete!) |
* Payback of $4500 purchase premium for natural gas fuel option
reduced by $2000 Clean Cities rebate and $2000 federal income deduction at 28%
marginal tax rate.
The environmental impact:
Estimated exhaust emissions of different passenger vehicles driven 91,029 miles
(in pounds)
| |
Average car |
California LEV** |
Civic GX |
| Hydrocarbons |
656 |
17.6 |
0.70 |
| Carbon Monoxide |
4895 |
796 |
37 |
| Oxides of nitrogen |
326 |
46.8 |
4.68 |
| Total |
5877 |
860 |
43 |
** This estimate is based on the standards for a 'Low Emission
Vehicle' passenger car required by California starting in 2001.
In short, the Civic GX emits 5,877 fewer pounds of gunk into the air than the
average car driven the same distance. This is 99% less pollution than the average
car on the street ø it's even 95% less than California's requirements for
a "Low Emission Vehicle"!
Back to the 'Past Scorecards' index
To the current scorecard
Back to the 'Clean Car' index
Autumn 2006
By Alan Richardson
Period covered: Purchase date (18
October 2000) to
12 September 2006
| Distance driven: |
91,029 miles |
| Fuel purchased: |
2800 gallons gasoline equivalent (GGE) |
| Fuel economy: |
32.5 miles/GGE |
| Fuel cost of CNG used: |
$2910 |
| Cost economy: |
31.3 miles per dollar |
| Savings over gasoline: |
$2,039 |
| Economic payback mileage*: |
82,217 miles |
| Economic payback date*: |
30 May 2006 - Payback complete! |
* Payback of $4500 purchase premium for natural gas fuel option
reduced by $2000 Clean Cities rebate and $2000 federal income deduction at 28%
marginal tax rate.
The environmental impact:
Estimated exhaust emissions of different passenger vehicles driven 91,029 miles
(in pounds)
| |
Average car |
California LEV** |
Civic GX |
| Hydrocarbons |
561 |
15 |
0.6 |
| Carbon Monoxide |
4191 |
682 |
32 |
| Oxides of nitrogen |
278 |
40 |
4 |
| Total |
5030 |
737 |
37 |
** This estimate is based on the standards for a 'Low Emission
Vehicle' passenger car required by California starting in 2001
In short, the Civic GX emits 5,030 fewer pounds of gunk into the air than the
average car driven the same distance. This is 99% less pollution than the average
car on the street ø it's even 95% less than California's requirements for a "Low
Emission Vehicle"!
A common question I am asked is the price for natural gas vehicle
fuel. At the moment, I pay $1.95 per GGE. (One GGE is that amount of natural
gas with the same energy content as a gallon of gasoline.) Over the past year,
DTE Energy has changed the price of natural gas at the pump every few months,
presumably in response to market conditions for natural gas. The lowest price
was $1.23 per GGE last autumn, and the highest was $2.38 per GGE during the winter
months. My average cost over the last year was $1.97 per GGE. The average price
for gasoline over the same period was $2.58.
The IRS has finally announced the tax credit for purchasers
of Civic natural gas cars. If you buy a 2005 or 2006 Honda Civic GX, you can
apply a $4000 tax credit on your next income tax return. Not too shabby, particularly
since that is more than the tax credit allowed for any hybrid. To see all the
credits announced so far, visit the IRS press room at http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/index.html,
select the 'News releases' button. One more good thing about the natural gas
vehicle tax credit is that it does not phase out, as does the hybrid credit.
The credits for hybrids automatically phase out for each manufacturer after 60,000
vehicles of its vehicles are sold. So if you want the full $3150 credit for buying
a Toyota Prius, you need to buy it before the end of September 2006, because
Toyota has sold over 60,000 units and the tax credit is cut in half according
to the provisions of the federal Energy Policy Act of 2005.
Back to the 'Past Scorecards' index
To the current scorecard
Back to the 'Clean Car' index
Autumn 2005
By Alan Richardson
Period covered: Purchase date (18
October 2000) to
13 September 2005
| Distance driven: |
79,377 miles |
| Fuel purchased: |
2430 gallons gasoline equivalent (GGE) |
| Fuel economy: |
32.7 miles/GGE |
| Fuel cost of CNG used: |
$2190 |
| Cost economy: |
36.4 miles per dollar |
| Savings over gasoline: |
$1816 |
| Economic payback mileage*: |
84,817 miles |
| Economic payback date*: |
13 January 2006 |
* Payback of $4500 purchase premium for natural gas fuel option
reduced by $2000 Clean Cities rebate and $2000 federal income deduction at 28%
marginal tax rate.
The environmental impact:
Estimated exhaust emissions of different passenger vehicles driven 74,442 miles
(in pounds)
| |
Average car |
California LEV** |
Civic GX |
| Hydrocarbons |
490 |
13.1 |
0.52 |
| Carbon Monoxide |
3654 |
594 |
28 |
| Oxides of nitrogen |
243 |
35 |
3.5 |
| Total |
4387 |
642.1 |
32.02 |
** This estimate is based on the standards for a 'Low Emission
Vehicle' passenger car required by California starting in 2001
In short, the Civic GX emits 4,084 fewer pounds of gunk into the air than the
average car driven the same distance. This is 99% less pollution than the average
car on the street ø it's even 95% less than California's requirements for a "Low
Emission Vehicle"!
Back to the 'Past Scorecards' index
To the current scorecard
Back to the 'Clean Car' index
Summer 2005
Originally published in the Summer 2005 "Lookout"
Period covered: Purchase date (18 October 2000)
to
31 May 2005
| Distance driven: |
74,442 miles |
| Fuel purchased: |
2279 gallons gasoline equivalent (GGE) |
| Fuel economy: |
32.7 miles/GGE |
| Fuel cost of CNG used: |
$2015 |
| Cost economy: |
36.4 miles per dollar |
| Savings over gasoline: |
$1591 |
| Economic payback mileage*: |
90,787 miles |
| Economic payback date*: |
5 June 2006 |
* Payback of $4500 purchase premium for natural gas fuel option
reduced by $2000 Clean Cities rebate and $2000 federal income deduction at 28%
marginal tax rate.
The environmental impact:
Estimated exhaust emissions of different passenger vehicles driven 74,442 miles
(in pounds)
| |
Average car |
California LEV** |
Civic GX |
| Hydrocarbons |
459 |
12 |
0.5 |
| Carbon Monoxide |
3427 |
557 |
26 |
| Oxides of nitrogen |
228 |
32 |
3 |
| Total |
4114 |
603 |
30 |
** This estimate is based on the standards for a 'Low Emission
Vehicle' passenger car required by California starting in 2001
So what does it all mean? The Civic GX emits thousands fewer pounds of gunk into
the air than the average car driven the same distance. This is 99% less pollution
than the average
car on the street ø it's even 95% less than California's requirements for a "Low
Emission Vehicle"!
Back to the 'Past Scorecards' index
To the current scorecard
Back to the 'Clean Car' index
Winter 2005
Originally published in the Winter 2005 "Lookout"
Period covered: Purchase date (18
October 2000) to
10 December 2004
| Distance driven: |
66,233 miles |
| Fuel purchased: |
2017 gallons gasoline equivalent (GGE) |
| Fuel economy: |
32.8 miles/GGE |
| Fuel cost of CNG used: |
$1815 |
| Cost economy: |
36.5 miles per dollar |
| Savings over gasoline: |
$1309 |
| Economic payback mileage*: |
98,196 miles |
| Economic payback date*: |
10 December 2006 |
* Payback of $4500 purchase premium for natural gas fuel option
reduced by $2000 Clean Cities rebate and $2000 federal income deduction at 28%
marginal tax rate.
The environmental impact:
Estimated exhaust emissions of different passenger vehicles driven 62,233 miles
| Average car |
3660 pounds |
| Low Emission Vehicle** |
536 pounds |
| My car |
27 pounds |
** This estimate is based on the standards for a 'Low Emission
Vehicle' passenger car required by California starting in 2001
In short, the Civic GX emits 3,633 fewer pounds of hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide,
and oxides of nitrogen than an average car driven the same distance. This is
99% less pollution than the average
car on the street ø it's even 95% less than the California's requirements for
a "Low Emission Vehicle"!
Back to the 'Past Scorecards' index
To the current scorecard
Back to the 'Clean Car' index
April 2004
Originally published in the April 2004 "Lookout"
I added a new measure of operating cost for a vehicle: Cost
economy. You can find this number for your vehicle by dividing total miles driven
by total cost of fuel used. Another way to get the same answer is to divide
your fuel economy (miles per gallon) by your fuel cost (dollars per gallon).
I get over 36 miles per dollar. What do you get?
Period covered: Purchase date (18 October 2000)
to
25 March 2004
| Distance driven: |
52,758 miles |
| Fuel purchased: |
1605 gallons gasoline equivalent (GGE) |
| Fuel economy: |
32.9 miles/GGE |
| Fuel cost of CNG used: |
$1436 |
| Cost economy: |
36.7 miles per dollar |
| Savings over gasoline: |
$905 |
| Economic payback mileage*: |
113,047 miles |
| Economic payback date*: |
28 Feb 2008 |
* Payback of $4500 purchase premium for natural gas fuel option
reduced by $2000 Clean Cities rebate and $2000 federal income deduction at 28%
marginal tax rate.
The environmental impact:
Estimated exhaust emissions of different passenger vehicles driven 52,758 miles
(in pounds)
| |
Average car |
California LEV** |
Civic GX |
| Hydrocarbons |
325.00 |
8.72 |
0.35 |
| Carbon Monoxide |
2429.00 |
395.00 |
18.60 |
| Oxides of nitrogen |
161.5 |
23.20 |
2.32 |
| Total |
2916.00 |
427.00 |
21.27 |
** Standard for 'Low Emission Vehicle' passenger car required
by California starting in 2001
The Civic GX pollutes 100 times less than the average car on the street... and
20 times less even than the California's "Low Emission Vehicle" requirements!
Back to the 'Past Scorecards' index
To the current scorecard
Back to the 'Clean Car' index
February 2004
Originally published in the
February 2004 "Lookout"
Period covered: Purchase date (18
October 2000) to 16 January 2004
| Distance driven: |
49,677 miles |
| Fuel purchased: |
1507 gallons gasoline equivalent (GGE) |
| Fuel economy: |
33.0 miles/GGE |
| Fuel cost of CNG used: |
$1347 |
| Savings over gasoline: |
$830 |
| Economic payback mileage*: |
116,086 miles |
| Economic payback date*: |
25 May 2008 |
* Payback of $4500 purchase premium for natural gas fuel option
reduced by $2000 Clean Cities rebate and $2000 federal income deduction at 28%
marginal tax rate.
The environmental impact:
Estimated exhaust emissions of different passenger vehicles driven 46,308 miles
(in pounds)
| |
Average car |
California LEV** |
Civic GX |
| Hydrocarbons |
307.00 |
8.21 |
0.33 |
| Carbon Monoxide |
2287.00 |
372.00 |
17.50 |
| Oxides of nitrogen |
152.1 |
22.90 |
2.19 |
| Total |
2745.00 |
402.00 |
20.02 |
** Standard for 'Low Emission Vehicle' passenger car required
by California starting in 2001
The Civic GX pollutes 100 times less than the average car on the street... and
20 times less even than the California's "Low Emission Vehicle" requirements!
Back to the 'Past Scorecards' index
To the current scorecard
Back to the 'Clean Car' index
November 2003
Originally published in the November 2003 "Lookout"
Period covered: Purchase date (18
October 2000) to 15 October 2003
| Distance driven: |
46,308 miles |
| Fuel purchased: |
1400 gallons gasoline equivalent (GGE) |
| Fuel economy: |
33.1 miles/GGE |
| Fuel cost of CNG used: |
$1251 |
| Savings over gasoline: |
$768 |
| Economic payback mileage*: |
117,025 miles |
| Economic payback date*: |
8 May 2008 |
* Payback of $4500 purchase premium for natural gas fuel option
reduced by $2000 Clean Cities rebate and $2000 federal income deduction at 28%
marginal tax rate.
The environmental impact:
Estimated exhaust emissions of different passenger vehicles driven 46,308 miles
(in pounds)
| |
Average car |
California LEV** |
Civic GX |
| Hydrocarbons |
286.00 |
7.65 |
0.31 |
| Carbon Monoxide |
2132.00 |
347.00 |
16.32 |
| Oxides of nitrogen |
141.80 |
20.40 |
2.04 |
| Total |
2559.00 |
375.00 |
18.67 |
** Standard for 'Low Emission Vehicle' passenger car required
by California starting in 2001
Back to the 'Past Scorecards' index
To the current scorecard
Back to the 'Clean Car' index
June 2003
Originally published in the July 2003 "Lookout"
Period covered: Purchase Date (18
October 2000) to 11 June 2003
| Distance driven: |
40,554 miles |
| Fuel purchased: |
1229 gallons gasoline equivalent (GGE) |
| Fuel economy: |
33.0 miles/GGE |
| Fuel cost of CNG used: |
$1098 |
| Savings over gasoline: |
$652 |
| Economic payback mileage*: |
120,585 miles |
| Economic payback date*: |
August 29, 2008 |
* Payback of $4500 purchase premium for natural gas fuel option
reduced by $2000 Clean Cities rebate and $2000 federal income deduction at 28%
marginal tax rate.
The environmental impact:
Estimated exhaust emissions of different passenger vehicles driven 37,986 miles
(in pounds)
| |
Average car |
California LEV** |
Civic GX |
| Hydrocarbons |
250.00 |
6.70 |
0.27 |
| Carbon Monoxide |
1867.00 |
304.00 |
14.29 |
| Oxides of nitrogen |
124.20 |
17.90 |
1.79 |
| Total |
2241.00 |
328.00 |
16.35 |
** Standard for 'Low Emission Vehicle' passenger car required
by California starting in 2001
Back to the 'Past Scorecards' index
To the current scorecard
Back to the 'Clean Car' index |
