Study: Hybrid, EV technologies compete with cheap gas

SANTA ROSA, Calif. (Feb 17, 2016) — A report just released by the Automotive Science Group (ASG) highlights what it calls the stark differences in performance merits that differentiate conventional and alternatively powered cars and SUVs in 2016.

ASG's “2016 Automotive Performance Index” — a life-cycle study of the best cars and SUVs of 2016 — found that hybrid vehicles, plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) and electric vehicles (EVs), by and large, outperform their conventional combustion counterparts from a life-cycle environmental performance view, while conventional gasoline-powered vehicles outperform alternatively powered vehicles from an economic performance view.

“So wherein lies the balance between these competing priorities for new car buyers?” ASG asked.

According to its website, ASG “believes that the measure of a car's performance should be based on objective data — data that helps steer you toward a purchase that best meets your needs, while also reflecting the values you live by. Whether it's a commitment to buy American-made, a prerogative to reduce your environmental footprint, or purely an economic choice, ASG'S dynamic rating platform delivers the information you need to make informed car buying choices.

“ASG's data-driven rating platform — the Automotive Performance Index — is based on the scientific principles of ecological economics and calculated using statistical methods. By removing personal bias from our assessments, we identify the BEST automobiles based on the facts. No subjective test-drive reviews here, this is data-driven analysis. You define the size and class of automobile that meets your needs, and we'll define the BEST from the rest.”

When comparing all 815 model year 2016 cars in North America in a head-to-head life-cycle assessment, ASG said its study “did not find a single vehicle with a conventional combustion engine earning a place on ASG's Best 20 Environmental Performance List,” while the all-electric Nissan LEAF topped the company's list with the smallest life-cycle carbon footprint of any model year 2016 car.

Topping ASG's Best 20 Economic Performance list was the 2016 Nissan Versa, which the company said holds claim to the lowest cost of ownership. The vehicle also landed at No. 26 in terms of environmental performance, and showed a 49-percent environmental performance deficit when compared to the No. 1 LEAF. Only one vehicle with an advanced hybrid configuration made the economic performance list — Toyota Motor Corp's Toyota Prius c, which landed at No. 19.

ASG said when looking for the best balance of economic and environmental performance, the firm found alternatively powered vehicles holding five positions — No. 1 Nissan LEAF; No. 2 Ford Motor Co.'s Ford Focus Electric; No. 3 Toyota Prius c; No. 5 Toyota Prius Two Eco; and No. 14 General Motors Co.'s Chevrolet Volt.

All remaining 15 positions were held by vehicles with conventional powertrains, according to ASG. The highest ranking conventional car was the Chevrolet Spark, coming in at No. 4, with an all-around performance score falling just 5 percent short of the No. 1 Nissan LEAF, which was named ASG'S Best All-Around Performance car of 2016.

Comparing all 567 sport-utility vehicles head to head, ASG found only five of the nine SUVs with hybrid and PHEV configurations made the company's Best 20 Environmental Performance List (SUV), with the remaining 15 places held by SUVs with conventional powertrains. Topping the list was the 2016 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid, with the smallest life-cycle carbon footprint of any model year 2016 SUV.

Fiat Chrysler Automobiles' 2016 Jeep Patriot held the lowest cost of ownership of all model year 2016 SUVs, ASG said, topping its Best 20 Economic Performance List (SUV) for the fifth consecutive year.

The list was rounded out by all conventional powertrains, with no hybrid, PHEV's or diesel engines. Similarly, ASG's Best All-Around Performance List (SUV) was dominated by conventional powertrains, with the RAV4 Hybrid as the only outlier.

The 2016 Mazda CX-3 topped the list and was named ASG's Best All-Around Performance SUV of 2016.

For more detailed information on ASG's study, visit its website.