The eco-automotive technology in cars has been increasing over the past few years and this is nowhere near the potential developments we might see in the not-too distant future of the automotive industry. There are a number of things and facts which make a car green but usually all that electric-cars and hybrid cars have in common is that they’re less dependent on fuel and emission of CO2 into the atmosphere.
2012 was not lacking the proficiency and technological expertise in creating cars that by now belong to the top 10 Green cars of the year. The following list will name and highlight the importance of each model and give you reasons of why they are rated so high on that imaginary scale.
1 Smart For two
This Smart Car is third generational two-seater city crawler with A 55 kW electric motor with an 80 mph top speed and an acceleration from zero to 60 mph in less than 13 seconds. The inner battery takes only one hour to recharge but this performance depends on the quality of the charger which in the worst case scenario can take up to 6-8 hours. Either way, what makes this Smart car a running wonder is the amount of Co2 emission that is 0g/km and has achieved a green car rating of 24.
2 Renault Fluence Z.E.
This pearl of the French auto industry has also achieved a green car rating of 26 by being based on a zero-emission motor which accelerates to 62 mph in a little more than 13 seconds. , buying new car has never been made easier since Fluency will take your more than 115 miles with a full charge without ever worrying about high fuel costs and thus making this car a right and green one.
3 Vauxhall Ampera RE-EV
This model is essentially an electric car which has a much lower range of approximately 40 miles which is extended by a 1.4 liter petrol engine that would provide an additional 310 miles. This one has a 27mg/km emission and was a Gold Award Winner in 2012
4 Volvo V60 Plug-in Hybrid
This diesel hybrid is powered by a 2.4-liter turbo diesel and an 11.2 kWh lithium-ion battery driven motor. You have the choice of running the car in three modes: pure mode runs the car on electricity and runs as far as 32 miles; the hybrid mode operates in accordance with the diesel engine and electric motor to produce a low 49g/km co2 emission; the power mode uses the 2.4 liter turbo engine and electric motor to produce a 285 bhp.
5 Toyota Prius Hybrid
This plug-in hybrid feature a 5.2 kWh lithium-ion battery driven 100kW electric motor and thus providing you with a 14 miles of drive with a zero-emission capability. Once other modes are turned on given the hybrid nature of the car, the Co2 emission goes no higher than 49g/km. The battery takes 1.5 hours to recharge and enables you a maximum of 112 mph of top speed.
6 Kia Rio 1.1
With a 1.1 liter three-cylinder turbo diesel engine and a little higher 85g/km Co2 omission this car has got a Green Car rating of 26 on the scale of the less fossil fuel consuming cars. Low fuel consumption and Co2 emission are what makes this car a deserving candidate.
7 Volkswagen Up! Blue Motion
The Volkswagen Up is made of extremely light weight material which gives it a shape and fuel efficient attribute. It has a 100g/km Co2 emission and will surely give you the desired quality, speed and fuel efficiency that you have always been looking for in a car warranty.
8 Peugeot 3008
The Peugeot, being the world’s leading diesel-electric hybrid car, is quite impressive as for its fuel economy and Co2 emission properties with the former having 74.4 mpg, while the latter emitting a 99g/km. This car will surely grant your dream of a car being budget friendly in terms of fuel usage.
9 Citroen DS5
Being also a hybrid diesel, this car has a diesel engine powering the front, while an electric motor driving the rear of the car. Fuel economy is 74 mpg with a less than 100g/km Co2 emission. An ideal choice for those who do not want to get stuck in the mud or any environmental obstacles.
10 BMW 5 Series Active Hybrid
The last candidate on the line is the BMW Active Hybrid 5 which, compared to its ancestors, has a 16% less fuel consumption with a 3 liter-petrol six-cylinder engine. It may travel 37 mph with a single charge, not to mention the fuel usage of no more than 44.1 mpg and 149g/km emission.
As we have learned from the above list of automobiles, a green car is more about fuel costs and speed. If you want to preserve our precious environment and also save some money on the taxes you have to pay after your car-which is usually based on the classification of your car on the Green Car Scale-then make sure to check out these cars and learn more about your possibilities in finding the right car.
David Bloom keeps himself abreast with the recent and up-to-date happening in the auto world by reading Top Gear, Auto car and Overdrive. He also has a keen interest in the World Rally championship car races. The TV channel Discovery Turbo is also his constant companion.
