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Toyota vehicles score high in online automotive green guide
Toyota cars, trucks, and SUVs appear in more vehicle categories than any other brand in The Best of 2005 list published by The American Council for Energy Efficient Economy (ACEEE). Toyota vehicles appear in ten of fourteen categories, including Compact, Subcompact and Midsize Cars; Compact and Standard Pickups; and Compact, Midsize, and Large SUVs. Another ACEEE list, The Greenest Vehicles of 2005, features more Toyota gasoline-powered vehicles than those of any other manufacturer. In addition, more Toyota and Scion vehicles than those of any other automaker appear on the list of thirteen Greener Choices 2005 comprised of cars, trucks, wagons and SUVs. ACEEE rates vehicles using published EPA and California Air Resources Board (CARB) data, plus calculations of emissions in multiple categories, including greenhouse gases. More information from ACEEE on greener cars can be found at greenercars.com.

Toyota receives federal Energy Star award
U.S. Secretary of Energy Samuel Bodman has presented Toyota Motor Manufacturing North America (TMMNA) with its 2005 Energy Star award for Leadership in Energy Management. The award was made for significant reduction of energy consumption in plants and offices and for a successful energy management program. TMMNA is two years ahead of schedule for its goal of reducing energy consumption by 15%.

Toyota environmental grants and activities

  • Toyota and the Texas Parks & Wildlife Foundation have sponsored the printing of 500,000 copies of the Texas State Park Guide. This is the second year Toyota helped make the guide available to the public for free.
  • The Toyota USA Foundation is supporting Keep America Beautiful, Inc. with a grant to market a new environmental education program. The web-based teaching module, Clean Sweep U.S.A., aids students and teachers in learning about environmental responsibility, recycling, and waste reduction.
  • Toyota recently held its annual Environmental Coordinators Conference in Torrance, California. Training included best practices in areas such as water pollution prevention and handling of hazardous materials. Toyota opened the conference to employees of other automakers, parts suppliers, and government agencies.

Six Quick Tips for Drivers to Reduce Air Pollution

  1. Find alternatives to driving whenever possible by taking public transit, telecommuting, and carpooling. Walk, roller blade, or bike while doing errands to keep the air and yourself fit and healthy.
  2. Keep your car maintained. A car maintained according to the manufacturer's specifications runs cleaner and more efficiently.
  3. Combine trips. Combining your driving trips saves gas, vehicle wear-and-tear, and reduces emissions. Restarting a warm engine produces a lot less pollution than a cold start.
  4. When purchasing a new vehicle, look for one with low emissions, such as a hybrid, like Toyota Prius.
  5. Fill up your gas tank after dusk on hot summer days. Gasoline vapors can react with sunlight and heat to add to the ozone problem in your community. Filling up after dark takes away one essential ingredient in making ozone: sunlight.
  6. Contact your local American Lung Association for more information about air pollution, lung health, and local air quality control at
    1-800-LUNG-USA (1-800-586-4872), or visit http://www.lungusa.org.

Toyota is a proud sponsor of the American Lung Association Asthma Walks. Please visit their site for a list of walks.