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Green SUV?

April 4, 2005 Comments (2)

I know, I know, I'm courting controversy by featuring this Lexus . A green SUV's an oxymoron, right? A shameless corporate figleaf, surely? Well, yes, on both counts. Still, my reasoning runs that there will always be some people who buy SUVs because they think they're cool, so it's good news if those few are driving even slightly more eco-friendly ones. The Lexus RX400h is one such slightly greener SUV, as it has a hybrid electric-petrol engine, a la the Toyota Prius. It does 34.8MPG, which is poor generally but good by SUV standards. You can buy one for a cool £45,000 from May. Maybe even Ken will give it a 45 degree thumbs-up.

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rob

I don't think many people have a massive problem with people buying SUVs if they are justified - the problem is that in 95% of cases they're not.

Apart from the emmissions, SUVs have been proved to be more dangerous to the public and the drivers. Also, don't forget that the manufacturing process creates more emmissions than the car will in its lifetime, so the bigger the the car, the more emmissions it creates to make it.

Neil

I’ve enjoyed reading your blog after following a link on the register, I do have a small bone to pick however…

You say in your blog that “A green SUV's an oxymoron, right?”

Well err, no! I have a “green” SUV! The trick is simply to buy one that runs on Diesel and instead run it purely on Biodiesel, I buy it from a member of http://www.bio-power.co.uk/ and it’s made from used vegetable oil.

The only emissions coming out of my exhaust is what was absorbed by the plants in the first place, I’ve just been for an MOT and the emissions are a third of what they where with standard diesel.

So I guess the only criticism left is the shear size of the vehicle, well I do volunteer work as a scout leader so the car is constantly full of kids, equipment, pulling a trailor or bouncing around off-road on a campsite and sometimes all at the same time!

Please don’t tar us all with the same brush.