Forbes reports, “You don't need to buy a small and cheap car to drive a vehicle that's kind to the environment.”  The publisher has “assembled a list of luxury and non-luxury vehicles that emit the fewest pollutants according to the EPA.”  Three Lexus hybrids top the rankings, with the RX 400h in the top spot.  The LS 600h L, “the most expensive hybrid available,” comes in third.  Non-hybrid cars to make the list include the Audi TT, Infiniti G37, and Porsche Boxster.

Technoride adds, “The report focuses on gas and hybrid cars, and leaves out potential clean diesel advances -- which isn't entirely unreasonable, since the first clean diesels won't even be available here until later this year.”  The rankings “are very specific, and come down to exact models with specific engines and transmissions.”  For instance, “while the BMW 328i with a stick makes the list, the 328xi doesn't: The former outputs 8.3 tons of greenhouse gases per year, while the latter outputs 9.2 tons, even though they're the same car with the same engine and transmission, because the xi version achieves poorer fuel economy numbers.”

Business Week adds, “Plenty of research says more and more luxury buyers want a car that is environmentally friendly. And slowly, carmakers are trying to capitalize on it.”  A new market in low-emissions, high-performance supercars is emerging.  Tesla’s $98,000 all-electric roadster began production earlier this month, and “fledgling Irvine (Calif.) automaker Fisker Automotive” is also “trying to get in the game with high-end, green cars for an emerging class of wealthy consumers who don't want to be accused of consuming in excess.”

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