Fuel Efficient Vehicles

By Patricia Jordan

The Office of Energy Efficiency (OEE) at Natural Resources Canada plays a role in helping Canadians save in energy costs while contributing to a healthier environment. The OEE provides practical energy conservation advice and links to hundreds of related sites around the world. OEE's website has information on the following programs:

• ecoACTION
• ecoENERGY
• Biofuels
• Fleets
• Renewable Power
• Technology Initiative

The OEE's ecoENERGY for Personal Vehicles Initiative is designed to encourage all Canadians to adopt more fuel efficient buying, driving and maintenance practices that will better enable them to save money, use less fuel and help to protect the environment. Please consult the links below for information on the following topics.

• The EnerGuide Label
• Compare Vehicles
• Fuel Consumption Ratings
• The Most Fuel-Efficient Vehicles

Hybrid Vehicles

Battery-electric vehicles are powered by motors that draw electricity from on-board storage batteries that act as an "engine" to propel it. Electric vehicles do not produce pollution from the tailpipe or through fuel evaporation. Depending on the source of electricity used to recharge the batteries, the vehicles can also have low overall (life-cycle) GHG emissions.

Hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) combine a battery powered electric motor with a conventional internal combustion engine. HEVs offer the extended driving range and rapid refuelling of conventional vehicles, together with many of the energy and environmental benefits of electric vehicles.

HybridCars.com provides the consumer with information on hybrid gas-electric vehicles and a full range of information and tools about cars, energy and the environment. They publish car reviews, news and user forums that are designed to help consumers make informed choices.