Limited choices for emission-minded drivers
There are more than 200 vehicle models that meet Pollution Probe's standards, but only 15 are sold in Canada
GREG KEENAN
From Thursday's Globe and Mail
December 6, 2007 at 6:08 AM EST
Small is beautiful when it comes to fuel-efficient cars, but European and Japanese drivers have a multitude of gas-sipping choices while Canadians are limited to a handful.
Just 15 vehicle models sold in Canada in the 2007 and 2006 model years met the test of consuming 5.9 litres or less of gasoline for every 100 kilometres travelled, the environmental group said yesterday. There are more than 200 on sale elsewhere in the world.
The 5.9-litre threshold is the equivalent of about 40 miles a gallon.
"What is frustrating is that European consumers have access to vehicles in all shapes and sizes, incorporating a range of technologies that get better mileage than most vehicles sold in Canada," Bob Oliver, Pollution Probe's director of transportation, said in a statement.
The organization surveyed the North American, European, Japanese and Chinese markets to assess fuel-efficient or low-emission vehicles. The results of the study come as federal governments in both Canada and the United States prepare to put in place stricter fuel economy regulations on auto makers, which are working to bring new, more fuel-efficient vehicles to market in North America. As they do, the price of gas sits above $3 (U.S.) a gallon in the United States and hovers around $1 (Canadian) a litre in much of Canada.
Car companies point to regulations in Canada that prevent them from importing many European vehicles, especially diesels, which use less fuel, but can't be sold here because emission regulations on diesels in North America are stricter than they are in Europe.
"Auto makers would love to be able to import vehicles into Canada that are allowed elsewhere (we make many of them) but anyone reading the papers this week knows Canadian safety, environmental and other regulations won't even permit certain vehicles from the U.S. let alone the vehicles listed by Probe," Mark Nantais, president of the Canadian Vehicle Manufacturers Association, said in an e-mail message.
Many of the models that the organization points to are much lighter, smaller and more fuel efficient, but they do not meet North American safety standards, added Mr. Nantais, whose organization represents Chrysler Canada Inc., Ford Motor Co. of Canada Ltd. and General Motors of Canada Ltd.
Subcompact cars are the second fastest-growing segment of the market in Canada - up 24 per cent this year, trailing only intermediate sport utility vehicles - and have all almost surpassed minivans as the fifth-largest segment in Canada.
Mr. Oliver said improving the fuel efficiency of the fleet in Canada needs to be addressed in a variety of ways, including making more vehicles available, adapting new technologies so they will adhere to Canadian standards, assessing the price of fuels and educating consumers.
Canadian fuel sippers
Europeans can choose from 102 models that use 5.9 litres of gas or less to travel 100 kilometres. Japanese drivers have 34 such options and another 41 so-called mini cars that are fuel sippers. There are 15 vehicles that meet that level in Canada, but only eight when results are adjusted to meet real-world driving conditions.
Honda
Civic hybrid (2007)
Adjusted combined city and highway fuel consumption: 4.5 litres/100 kilometres
Engine size: 1.3 litres
Estimated carbon dioxide emissions: 108 grams/100 kilometres
Nissan
Altima hybrid (2007)
Adjusted combined city and highway fuel consumption: 5.7 litres/100 kilometres
Engine size: 2.4 litres
Estimated carbon dioxide emissions: 137 grams/100 kilometres
Smart
Smartfortwo cdi (2006)
Adjusted combined city and highway fuel consumption: 4.2 litres/100 kilometres
Engine size: 0.8 litres
Estimated carbon dioxide emissions: 113 grams/100 kilometres
Volkswagen
New Beetle TDI (2006)
Adjusted combined city and highway fuel consumption: 5.5 litres/100 kilometres
Engine size: 1.9 litres
Estimated carbon dioxide emissions: 149 grams/100 kilometres
Toyota
Prius (2007)
Adjusted combined city and highway fuel consumption: 4.1 litres/100 kilometres
Engine size: 1.5 litres
Estimated carbon dioxide emissions: 98 grams/100 kilometres
Camry hybrid (2007)
Adjusted combined city and highway fuel consumption: 5.7 litres/100 kilometres
Engine size: 2.4 litres
Estimated carbon dioxide emissions: 137 grams/100 kilometres
Source: Pollution Probe
