"Going Green" is good for the environment and can be smart for the borrower. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) now rates automobiles by their greenhouse emissions and their fuel economy. Vehicles scoring the highest receive the Agency's SmartWay Elite designation.

Those doing well but not the highest receive the SmartWay designation.

Some lenders now offer incentives in their loans for buying a car that's been designated a SmartWay or SmartWay Elite vehicle.

An additional step in going green is "Green Payment" where the auto loan is paid electronically without paper. Once again some lenders offer incentives to pay green.