We’ve been thinking about the results revealed by the J.D. Power and Associates 2007 Alternative Powertrain Study℠, recently released by the noted research company.

Using data from the Environmental Protection Agency and vehicle owners, the Automotive Environmental Index (see chart below post) ranks auto companies and specific models according to their fuel economy and emissions. In this new survey, Toyota was the highest ranking car brand.

The index is developed from a passenger car's exhaust emissions, as they are reported by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and from fuel economy as reported by the EPA and by drivers who respond to a J.D. Power survey.

Of the top 30 vehicles named in the index, Toyota, including its Lexus brand, had more vehicles – hybrid and gas-powered - in the list than any other manufacturer. The Toyota products on the list include Camry, Highlander and Prius hybrids, along with Corolla, Matrix and Yaris conventional vehicles. Also included were the Lexus GS 450h and RX 400h hybrids.

All this is of significant interest because J.D. Power also reported that seven of every 10 American consumers believe that the country is facing an energy crisis. As a result, it finds, 77 percent of those consumers would be willing to consider vehicles with alternative powertrains for their next new-vehicle purchase. The three alternative powertrains under consideration, of course, are hybrid gas-electric, flexible fuel and diesel.

What particularly interests us, though, is that while the energy crisis, as evidenced by high at-the-pump gasoline prices, is here and now, the new generation of clean-burning diesels just became available this year. And though the cars are here, it’s anyone’s guess when the clean, low-sulfur fuel they will require will become widely and easily available. Likewise, ethanol-based E85 fuel required by many flexible-fuel vehicles can’t be found at every corner gas station.

But hybrids are available right now – any Toyota dealership will have an enviable array of choices for the new-car buyer. For 10 years, Toyota hybrids have been racking up the enviable fuel-economy figures their buyers want.

What they’ve helped us do is field the most economical fleet of passenger cars in the country. According to numbers released by the U.S. Department of Transportation, which develops those fuel economy figures that are displayed on the Monroney stickers found on new cars, Toyota’s average fuel economy for its automotive products for 2006 – figures for 2007 won’t be available until next spring – is 34.65 mpg.

Our closest competitor is Honda, whose fleet of offerings delivered 33.3 mpg in overall economy.

Note that this does not include the truck line for either company. That’s fine with us. For the record, Toyota’s average fuel economy for trucks is 23.6. Not bad, considering that some of Toyota’s trucks possess the power and capability to tow more than 10,000 pounds. And we’re good with that fuel economy number, because Toyota is a full-service company that tries to provide a vehicle choice for every customer.

The bottom line, of course, is that Toyota leads the fight to make driving more affordable – whether it’s a conventional vehicle you’re looking for, or a hybrid.