Among the top 30 Automotive Envirnomental
Index vehicles, eight are hybrids:  

Ford Escape Hybrid	Lexus RX 400H
Honda Accord Hybrid	Mercury Mariner Hybrid
Honda Civic Hybrid	Toyota Highlander Hybrid
Honda Insight	Toyota Prius

Traditional gasoline-powered models in the top 30 are:  

Acura RSX	Hyundai Elantra	Suzuki Reno
Chevrolet Aveo	Kia Rio	Toyota Camry
Chevrolet Cobalt	Kia Spectra	Toyota Corolla
Ford Focus	Mazda3	Volkswagen Golf
Ford Focus Station Wagon	Mazda MX-5	Volkswagen Jetta
Honda Accord	Nissan Sentra	Volkswagen New Beetle
Honda Civic	Saturn Ion
Hyundai Accent	Scion xA

Hybrid SUVs are the only truck models among the top 30. Only two luxury models -- the Lexus RX400H and Acura RSX -- are included among the top environmentally friendly vehicles.

Volkswagen ranks highest among nameplates in the Automotive Environmental Index, with three models in the top 30. While there are no diesels within the top 30, several diesel models from Volkswagen also perform well, which is reflected in VW's strong overall nameplate performance. VW is followed in the nameplate rankings by Honda and Mazda, respectively.

"High gas prices, coupled with consumers becoming more familiar with alternative powertrain technology, are definitely increasing consumer interest in hybrids and flexible fuels," said Mike Marshall, director of automotive emerging technologies at J.D. Power and Associates. "However, the additional price premiums associated with hybrid vehicles, which can run from $3,000 to $10,000 more than a comparable non-hybrid vehicle, remain the biggest concern among consumers considering a hybrid. The AEI highlights several non-hybrid models available that help consumers reduce fuel use and emissions."

Consumers Interested in Hybrids and Flexible Fuel Vehicles

The study, which examines consumer perceptions regarding hybrids, diesel and flexible fuel vehicles, finds that fewer than one-fourth (23%) of consumers say they will only consider a gasoline-powered model for their next new vehicle. Among consumers who expect to acquire a new vehicle within the next two years, 57 percent indicate that they are considering a hybrid vehicle, while 49 percent are considering a flexible fuel (E85 ethanol-based fuel blend) vehicle and 12 percent a diesel.

On average, consumers considering a hybrid expect to pay approximately $5,250 more for the powertrain option. Acknowledging the increased vehicle price, these consumers expect an average fuel economy improvement of 28 miles per gallon compared to a similar vehicle powered by a gasoline internal combustion engine, when in reality, hybrid owners report getting an average improvement of just 9 mpg. Consumers considering a diesel expect to pay approximately $2,800 more for the option and expect an average fuel economy improvement of 21 mpg, while diesel owners report getting a 12 mpg improvement on average. Those considering an E85 vehicle are unsure whether to expect to pay more for the option or see an improvement in fuel economy, but instead hope the use of the ethanol-based fuel blend will help reduce U.S. dependency on foreign fuels. The availability of fuel or fueling stations is the largest concern among consumers considering a flexible fuel or diesel-powered vehicle.

"One of the biggest challenges for alternative powertrains is that consumers often have unrealistic expectations for the fuel-saving abilities of these vehicles," Marshall said. "And particularly with hybrids, actual fuel performance often doesn't live up to the vehicle's EPA estimate. There is a real need to educate consumers about the technology and its benefits. Managing consumer expectations and lowering the cost premium will be instrumental in accelerating acceptance."

Younger buyers are much more likely to consider an alternative powertrain in their next vehicle. Nearly three-quarters of consumers ages 16 to 25 -- who purchase fewer than 10 percent of all new vehicles -- are interested in a hybrid vehicle, 52 percent are considering a flexible fuel vehicle and 15 percent a diesel vehicle. In contrast, fewer than one-half of consumers over 57 years old -- one-quarter of new-vehicle buyers -- would consider a hybrid or flexible fuel vehicle, and only 8 percent would consider a diesel. Consumers in the West (63%) and Northeast (61%) express the most interest in hybrid vehicles, while consumers in the Midwest (59%) are most interested in flexible fuel vehicles. Interest in diesel vehicles ranges between 11 percent and 13 percent across the country.

While actual hybrid vehicle owners tend to be older (55) than the average new-vehicle buyer and more affluent, with an average annual household income of $113,400, the study finds that consumers who indicate that they are considering a hybrid tend to be younger (averaging 43 years old), with an average annual household income of $88,500.

Despite often providing lower-than-expected gas mileage performance, hybrid and diesel U.S. market share continue to grow. J.D. Power and Associates forecasts that hybrid vehicles, which represented 1.2 percent of the U.S. new light-vehicle market in 2005, are expected to increase to 1.6 percent in 2006 and 5 percent by 2013. Diesel vehicles, which represented 3.2 percent of the U.S. new light-vehicle market in 2005, are expected to increase to 3.6 percent in 2006 and 9 percent by 2013.

Comprehensive environmental ratings for 2006 models can be found on the J.D. Power Consumer Center at www.jdpower.com.