... [+]If a long-running 1980’s TV sit-com taught us anything it’s that “You take the good, you take the bad, you take them both and there you haveIn a separate post we highlighted the 10 most environmentally friendly rides on the road according to the annual Greener Cars report compiled by the, which one would considered to be the “good.” Here, however, we’re looking at the environmentally “meanest” models in that regard, which would be the “bad.
As one might imagine, they’re all among the worst gas guzzlers on the planet, and there’s neither an electric car or a gas/electric-powered hybrid among them. All but one are big and thirsty SUVs, with a single large high-performance sedan rounding out the “dirty dozen.” Unfortunately for Mother Nature, all are also among the most entertaining-to-drive vehicles sold in the U.S.
The ACEEE examined more than 1,200 mainstream models for 2023 that run the gamut, including petrol-powered models, gas/electric hybrids, and 100% electric rides. Each vehicle is given an overall Green Score that can be used to compare the relative environmental friendliness – or unfriendliness as it stands here – from one model to another. Those are expressed on a 100-point scale, with higher numbers being better.
Each model is also assessed an Environmental Damage Index which reflects a given model’s adverse effect on the planet in terms just about anyone can understand, namely its estimated cash cost to human health, with lower numbers better. The “meanest” vehicle for 2023 is the rip-roaring RAM 1500 TRX full-size 4x4 pickup truck, which packs a punch with its 6.2-liter supercharged “Hellcat” V8 engine that puts 702 horsepower to the pavement and can run from 0-60 mph in around 4.5 seconds. That’s quick enough for a sleek sports car, let alone a large and heavy hauler. For 2023 it gets a Green Score of just 22 out of 100, and an EDX at $2.78 cents per mile.