I didn’t realize I was in for a treat when that crazy SUV-driving soccer mom slammed into my car in the parking lot after Spanish camp. Not that I’m judging. After all, I drive a Toyota 4-Runner, have two spirited preschoolers, and have been called 
crazy more than once. But I’m trying to mend my careless ways by living a little lighter on the planet, hoping to do my small part for mankind in the process. With the 4-Runner in the body shop, I’m enjoying a new opportunity to be eco-friendly with my fabulous rental car: the 3rd Generation hybrid-electric Toyota Prius.
I still remember test-driving the first generation Prius. Back in 2000, I was just beginning to respond to a desire to protect the environment. But as much as I wanted to conserve resources to protect the habitats of the wildlife I loved, my convictions weren’t strong enough for me to stomach driving that strange little sub-compact matchbox of a car. Somehow over the past decade, my eco-enthusiasm has evolved into a full-blown passion, and I’m excited to report that the Prius has come a long way, too. Now in its tenth year, this car is NOTHING if not cool.
After the guy at the Enterprise rental facility installed my kids’ seats in the backseat of the Prius, I listened as he gave a short tutorial. “You see this button here that says ‘power’?” he asked. “Put your foot on the break, press that button, and drive.” I followed his lead and without having to breathe those billowing fumes that typically emanate from a hot engine, I quietly rolled off the lot and headed straight for Central Expressway.
Immediately, I was flooded with memories of my pre-kid, pre-wed Audi. It’s been ages since I drove anything resembling a sports car. This must be how a mid-life crisis begins. The drive from Richardson back to my home near White Rock Lake was super smooth, fast and fun.
Driving the Prius is also convenient, a major plus for busy moms. The dashboard displays how the engine charges the battery, which then allows the car to run partially on electric power. This technology helps the Prius get an average of 50 mpg, which saves money on gas as well as the time and hassle of filling up. Reports such as this one from a pair of real-world Prius drivers explain the convenience and cost-savings of driving this car.
The moment of truth came the next day when I put the kids in the car. Turns out the surprisingly roomy interior accommodates my 2 and 5 year-olds at least as well as the 4-Runner does. The lower doors also make it easier for them to climb in. From this standpoint the car is ultra kid-friendly.
But is it safe? Among the moms I know, 95% of us drive some sort of SUV. It’s as if “buy a family truckster” is written on the back cover of the Girlfriend’s Guide to Pregnancy. But seriously, speaking as a mom, I agree that safety is very important. That’s why I was especially surprised to learn that in reality, SUVs are no safer than passenger cars. This fact opens up a ton of new possibilities for me when I do eventually buy a new car. Maybe it will be this car or one of the many other hybrids on the market. Or maybe even an all-electric vehicle; several highway-ready models are coming available starting in late 2010.
Now, before you go thinking I’m too easily impressed by green gadgetry, let me state for the record that there are few cars I would rather own than my current one. Others might regard my 12-year old 4-Runner as an obvious candidate for the cash for clunkers program, but I thoroughly enjoy squeezing every bit of life out of this vehicle. As great as shiny new cars can be, conserving the one you already own while driving less is the ultimate sustainable behavior. The fact that Old Reliable is fully paid-off sets the bar impossibly high for my car’s eventual successor.
Fortunately, I have discovered there are ways to drive greener no matter how big or old your car may be. Here’s a short video (see "Be a Greener Driver") of Old Reliable and me as we demonstrate tips from my book Green, American Style on how to save money and the planet while helping America kick its petroleum habit.
