Gasoline-electric hybrids are the most fuel efficient vehicles currently

EPA and DOE released their annual report on fuel efficiency for 2009 model vehicles. The Toyota Prius at 48 mpg city and 45 mpg highway was the most fuel efficient vehicle, as it was in the last model year. Number two was the Honda Civil hybrid (40 mpg city and 45 mpg highway). Third was the VW Jetta diesel (30 mpg city and 41 mpg highway). [Although Americans seem to love hybrids and the plug-in hybrids soon to be available, Europe has been more inclined toward fuel efficient diesels, which are less of a technological reach. Whether that preference will continue will, as they say, await future policies and programs by the EU.] The best performing SUVs were the Ford Escape hybrid, the Mazda Tribute hybrid, and the Mercury Mariner hybrid; all achieved 34 mpg city and 31 mpg highway. Unlike the report on the 2008 model vehicles, this recent report did not list the worst performing vehicle. In 2008, it was the Lamborghini L-147/148 Murcielago at 9 mpg city and 14 mpg highway; for its 2009 model, this model Lamborghini lost 1 mpg for each measure. As a result of substantial criticism of the old mileage measure technology and method, EPA implemented, starting with the 2008 model year, revised tests to "better" reflect driving conditions and habits, including higher highway speed limits and the use of air conditioning. The Model Year 2009 report can be found at http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/download.shtml. The site also has date on previous year model tests.