Cars: Hybrid Fitness

My daughter Maya, who is nine, saw a picture of the General Motors Hy-Wire, the company's super-sleek experimental fuel-cell car, and immediately decided we should have one. Unfortunately, I had to explain to her that while the hydrogen-powered car promises zero emissions and freedom from fossil fuel, it's not available. So it goes with American manufacturers and hybrid gasoline/electric cars, promised but yet-to-be delivered, while Japanese models have been on sale here since 2000.

To qualify as environmentally correct, your next car should be small. Even in hybrid form, SUVs and pickups can be gas guzzlers and are less safe. As Keith Bradsher points out in High and Mighty (PublicAffairs, 2002, $28.00), "The rollover death rate per million registered SUVs is at least double the rate for cars." Small cars offer a combination of good gas mileage, low emissions and practicality. Here are three green cars you can buy right now:

2004 Toyota Prius

The second-generation 2004 Prius hybrid, available now, is "a shining example of the gains possible with advanced technology," according to Jason Mark, director of the Union of Concerned Scientists' Clean Vehicle Program. And Roland Hwang, senior policy analyst at the Natural Resources Defense Council, adds, "Compared to mid-size cars, drivers get half the pollution and half the gasoline bill."

Unlike the Segway scooter, the 2004 deserved its advance praise. While the wheelbase has been stretched more than five inches (giving more leg room), average fuel economy is actually slightly better at a combined 55 mpg. The $20,000 Prius remains a super-ultra-low-emission vehicle, or SULEV. Quite similar and well worth considering is the $19,650 Honda Civic Hybrid sedan, which offers 51 mpg on the highway and has been certified in California as an Advanced Technology Partial Zero-Emissions Vehicle (AT-PZEV), meaning it delivers 90 percent less emissions than a standard car. The greatest mileage, however, comes from a sporty hybrid, Honda's Insight, which gets 66 mpg on the highway. A certified ultra-low-emissions vehicle (ULEV), the Insight's starting price is $19,180. Hybrid owners are eligible for a one-time federal tax break, but this will be phased out after 2006.

2003 Ford Focus PZEV

If you want to buy American, this is the car for you. Even though it is solely powered by a gasoline engine, the 2003 Ford Focus PZEV is California-certified as a partial-zero-emissions vehicle. The PZEV technology, now standard in all Focus cars sold in California, New York, Vermont and Massachusetts this year, will go national in 2004, and Ford is already shipping the new models across the U.S. 2004 Focus cars begin at $12,725, with miles per gallon at 25 city and 33 highway for the manual transmission and 24/30 for the four-speed automatic.

2003 Suzuki Aerio SX

The small but roomy Suzuki Aerio SX ("Sport Crossover"), introduced last year, should please green consumers who might otherwise be tempted to buy an SUV "for the dog" or because "I like to sit up high." Starting at $14,499, it can accommodate five with relative comfort, the upright stance creates great headroom and the rear seats fold to create ample load space through the back hatch. With a manual five-speed transmission, the Aerio SX delivers 26 miles per gallon in town and 32 on the highway, much better than most SUVs. It's also a low-emission vehicle (LEV).

And don't forget two-wheelers: One affordable option for commuters is the Breezer Town Bike, which comes with fenders, rack, chain guard and headlamp.