The Top Environmentally Friendly Cars of 2024, Top or Failed?
Did you know that a traditional gasoline vehicle emits 4.6 metric tons of Carbon Dioxide per year, which significantly contributes to Global warming? Conventional cars are responsible for nearly 30% of all greenhouse gas emissions in the United States. Therefore, Environmentally Friendly cars will play a crucial role in combating climate change and global warming. Here, we will learn about the best eco-friendly cars, their quality, and their environmental impact.
What are Environmentally friendly cars? Why they are needed for a green future?
Environmentally friendly cars refer to eco-friendly cars or green cars that focus on zero carbon emissions and pollution. These cars are designed to have minimal impact on the environment by using zero-carbon energy sources like electric, hydrogen, or hybrid systems. To reduce the carbon footprint, these eco-friendly vehicles use sustainable materials and approaches. That makes a good choice for future transportation.
As we all know, vehicles are a major contributor to pollution and global warming. According to the 2022 data, transportation is responsible for 14% of global greenhouse gas emissions, with cars and vans contributing 48% of global transportation emissions. To reduce the number, we need to adopt more clean and green energy sources to run vehicles.
Top Environmentally Friendly Cars List and criteria for Eco-friendly cars.
Based on the assessment of greenhouse gas emissions and the pollutants, a car emits from manufacturing to disposal receives a green score. A higher score indicates a more eco-friendly car with minimal environmental impact.
Here are the top lists-
| CAR | TYPES | RANGE | PRICE | GREEN SCORE |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1. Toyota Prius Prime SE
|
PHEV
|
EV-44 Miles/Fuel-4.4L/100km
|
$32,975 |
71
|
Performance and Eco-friendliness (Toyota Prius Prime SE)
This incredible plug-in hybrid car has a hybrid engine that provides 220 horsepower. It can sprint from 0 to 60 mph in 6.9 seconds.
The Toyota Prius offers exceptional fuel efficiency, with an annual fuel cost of just $529. Its low fuel usage and smaller battery size create less impact on the environment. All those criteria make it one of the most Environmentally friendly cars.
| CAR | TYPES | RANGE | PRICE | GREEN SCORE |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2. Lexus RZ 300e
|
EV
|
266 miles |
$55,150
|
67
|
Performance and Eco-friendliness (Lexus RZ 300e)
The RZ300e has a single motor with 210 horsepower. This car can achieve 60 mph in 4.6 seconds. It gives you a decent 266 mi range. However, this number is not good enough compared to other EVs.
If we talk about eco-friendliness, NuLuxe artificial leather has been used to design this car, which is a sustainable material that can be reused. It uses a regenerative energy system which helps recover waste energy. Ultimately, it enhances efficiency in the car. So, car manufacturers have paid special attention to the environment by adopting technology.
| CAR | TYPES | RANGE | PRICE | GREEN SCORE |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
3. Mini Cooper SE |
EV
|
125 – 275 km
|
$30,900
|
67
|
Performance and Eco-friendliness (Mini Cooper SE)
This wonderful Mini Cooper SE is furnished with a 135 kW electric motor that provides 181 horsepower. It can accelerate from 0 to 62 mph in 6.7 seconds. It has a 32.6 kWh lithium-ion battery that gives you an average 180 km range.
Being an EV, you don’t have to worry about tailpipe emissions, which help keep our environment cleaner. It has a smaller battery size, contributing less pollution compared to a bigger one, and it is more efficient for regular city commutes. The Mini Cooper SE has also used various sustainable materials in its design, which is great for both us and the environment.
| CAR | TYPES | RANGE | PRICE | GREEN SCORE |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
4. Nissan Leaf
|
EV
|
Between 165 – 355 km (depending on weather)
|
$28,140
|
66
|
Performance and Eco-friendliness (Nissan Leaf)
The Nissan Leaf comes in two variants: Nissan Leafs with 40 kWh and 62 kWh batteries, which give you a range between 165-355 km depending on the weather and location. It comes with a 147-horsepower electric motor that can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 7.4 seconds.
It is ranked number four in the green score given by the ACEEE (American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy). Likewise, it is one of the most demanded energy-efficient EVs. Being an EV, it does not release tailpipe emissions, which helps to reduce environmental impact compared to traditional gasoline cars. Manufacturers have also adopted a sustainable approach to developing this car, like solar energy and other clean energy source. It also has a regenerative braking system that helps regenerate energy.
| CAR | TYPES | RANGE | PRICE | GREEN SCORE |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
5. Toyota bZ4X
|
EV
|
222-252 mi ( depends on variants) |
$43,070
|
66
|
Performance and Eco-friendliness (Toyota bZ4X)
The Toyota bZ4X comes with single-motor and dual-motor options, which give 201 and 215 horsepower, respectively. It achieves a speed of 0-60 mph in 6.4 seconds. It comes with a 63.4-kWh battery pack and a 65.5-kWh battery pack, giving you a range between 242-252 miles on the single motor and 222-228 miles on the dual motor.
The Toyota bZ4X is a fully electric vehicle, so it does not emit tailpipe emissions. It is a great choice for eco-friendly enthusiasts, helping to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. It has 107-131 MPGe (miles per gallon equivalent), making it a more energy-efficient vehicle. Toyota has also incorporated several recycled materials to reduce the environmental impact.
| CAR | TYPES | RANGE | PRICE | GREEN SCORE |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
6. Toyota RAV4 Prime |
EV
|
42 EV/36-40 mpg |
$43,690
|
64
|
Performance and Eco-friendliness (Toyota RAV4 Prime)
The Toyota RAV4 Prime has a 2.5 LTR four-cylinder engine and the electricity motor gives you 177 horsepower on electricity motor. When combined, it produced 302 horsepower. It has an 18.1 kWh battery pack that gives you a range of up to 42 miles. Gasoline range can give up to 6.0L/100 km. It achieves a speed 0–60 miles in 6.4 sec.
When it runs in an EV mode, It produces zero greenhouse gas making it an ideal choice for environmentally friendly cars. As Toyota gives special attention to the environment, it uses eco-friendly materials. Toyota RAV4 Prime is a very efficient car, It has a 94 MPGe rating on Electricity and 38 on Hybrid
| CAR | TYPES | RANGE | PRICE | GREEN SCORE |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
7. Hyundai Elantra Blue
|
Gas Hybrid |
54 ( combined)
|
$26,250
|
64
|
Performance and Eco-friendliness (Hyundai Elantra Blue)
The Hyundai Elantra Blue has a 1.6Ltr-four-cylinder engine including an electric motor powered 139 hp. It accelerates from 0-60 miles in 8.4 sec. It has a 32 kWh Lithium-ion polymer battery that delivers a combined 54 MPG.
Hyundai Elantra Blue is a highly fuel-efficient vehicle, which has an EPA rating of 51 MPG/58 MPG for city and highway. For this reason, it is a good choice for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. This car can easily switch between gasoline and electricity. Due to its hybrid system, it has a less prominent impact on pollution and the environment.
| CAR | TYPES | RANGE | PRICE | GREEN SCORE |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
8. Hyundai Kona Electric
|
EV |
260 miles
|
$34,050
|
63
|
Performance and Eco-friendliness (Hyundai Kona Electric)
The Hyundai Kona Electric provides a single motor with 133 horsepower, another version comes with 201 hp as well. It can achieve a speed of 0-60 miles in 7 sec. It has a 64.8 kWh battery, which provides an average range of 260 miles.
The Hyundai Kona has wonderful fuel economy, EPA (The Environmental Protection Agency) estimated 129 MPGe in city and 103 MPGe on highway. Being energy-efficient and electric, it contributes to reducing CO2 and other greenhouse gases. This vehicle also has features of a regenerative braking system and uses eco-friendly material in its design, making it a good choice for Environmentally friendly cars.
| CAR | TYPES | RANGE | PRICE | GREEN SCORE |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
9. Toyota Camry LE |
Gas Hybrid
|
19 KM/L
|
$28,855
|
63
|
Performance and Eco-friendliness (Toyota Camry LE)
The Toyota Camry LE is powered by a 2.5ltr-four-cylinder engine that produces 203 horsepower. It accelerates from 0–60 miles in 7.6 sec.
This car has excellent fuel efficiency, with a good EPA rating of 28 MPG (city) and 39 MPG (highway). It features start-stop technology, where the car automatically stops the engine when idle to improve fuel efficiency. It is classified as a low-emission vehicle. Furthermore, it is counted as a low-emission vehicle. There is also a Partial Zero Emission Vehicle (PZEV) version of this car available in the market.
| CAR | TYPES | RANGE | PRICE | GREEN SCORE |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
10. Kia EV6
|
EV |
310 miles
|
$43,975
|
63
|
Performance and Eco-friendliness (Kia EV6)
The Kia EV6 has a single electric motor with 326 to 576 horsepower. It takes 6.7 seconds to reach 0-60 miles. Its huge 77.4 kWh battery can go up to 310 miles on a full charge.
Like other EVs, it is a very eco-friendly choice that does not produce tailpipe emissions. It has EPA ratings of 117 MPGe. Kia has used sustainable materials for the interior design, including recycled plastic and vegan leather in the cabin, to reduce the carbon footprint. The regenerative braking system further enhances fuel efficiency in the vehicle.
These are the best eco-friendly vehicles of 2024, classified according to their green score and fuel efficiency. They have the lowest impact on our environment. If we adopt all these approaches, it will significantly reduce our carbon footprint and greenhouse gases. We need to make our transportation system more eco-friendly by adopting environmentally friendly cars.
