Bikes & Cars...

The U.S. Enivironmental Protection Agency has a certification program, called SmartWay, that it set up to help buyers find cars with better fuel efficiency and lower tailpipe emissions. Though the ratings have been around for a couple of years, the designation has been slow to catch on with consumers. With gas as expensive as it is, though, it's smart to learn about SmartWay.

There are two levels of certification:

• SmartWay: cars with a score of at least 6 out of 10 on air pollution and greenhouse gas tests, or a combined score of 13 or above in those two categories. Many of these cars are LEV II (Low-Emissions Vehicles) or ULEV (Ultra-Low-Emissions Vehicles) that get at least 20 mpg combined city and highway.
• SmartWay Elite: cars that score 9 or above on the air pollution and greenhouse gas tests. These cars are either PZEV (Partial Zero Emissions Vehicles) or ZEV (you got it -- Zero Emissions Vehicles) that get a minimum of 31 mpg combined.

SmartWay vehicles number in the dozens and range from the Acura TL to the Volvo V50. There are fewer SmartWay Elite vehicles available nationally (California has a few more), and they're almost all hybrids. (The two that aren't hybrids are Honda Civics that run on compressed natural gas.)

What does that mean for you, the well-meaning and broke consumer? It means that if you're in the market for a different car -- new or used -- your first stop should be to the EPA's Green Vehicle Guide site. Any car built in the 21st century is rated and ready for you to browse. You can even check out your current car and compare its scores to that potential purchase.

Photo by undergroundbastard.