The Greenest New Cars You Can Buy Today
Many Americans want to cut their carbon footprint and save money on gas, but it turns out, buying an electric vehicle isn’t the greenest way to go. According to a new report from the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy (ACEEE), the greenest car on the market is actually a plug-in hybrid (PHEV).
- The ACEEE is a non-profit that works to develop “transformative policies to reduce energy waste and combat climate change.”
- Every year, they come out with an assessment of the real-world environmental impact of “every new model in the U.S. light-duty vehicle market.”
- Their ratings are based on the vehicle’s impact through its entire lifecycle, from the emissions from fuel burned in the engine to emissions generated by electricity it uses, as well as emissions produced when mining and processing minerals for batteries and emissions from manufacturing vehicles.
- Each vehicle is given a green score reflecting how green it is.
- In 2024, the greenest new car you can buy is a plug-in hybrid Toyota Prius.
- It beats every electric vehicle (EV) on the market thanks to its smaller battery and light weight.
The Greenest Cars Overall
(Check out the full list here)
- Toyota Prius Prime SE (PHEV)
- Lexus RZ 300e (EV)
- Mini Cooper SE (EV)
- Nissan Leaf (EV)
- Toyota bZ4X (EV)
- Toyota RAV4 Prime (PHEV)
- Hyundai Elantra Blue (Hybrid)
- Hyundai Kona Electric (EV)
- Toyota Camry LE (Hybrid)
- Kia EV6 (EV)
You Can Get A Lot Of Miles Out Of These Cars
Toyota Sequoia - 297,000 miles
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – FEBRUARY 10: Toyota shows off their 2023 Sequoia during the Chicago Auto Show at McCormick Place convention center on February 10, 2022 in Chicago, Illinois. The show, the nation’s largest and longest-running auto show, will open to the public on February 12 and run through February 21. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)
Toyota Land Cruiser - 280,000 miles
TOKYO – OCTOBER 7: Toyota Motor Corporation’s new model Land Cruiser, Prado TZ “G Selection,” is on display at a news conference October 7, 2002 in Tokyo, Japan. Toyota announced its new Hilux Surf SSR-X and the Land Cruiser Prado TZ “G Selection.” (Photo by Junko Kimura/Getty Images)
Chevy Suburban - 266,000 miles
DETROIT, MI – DECEMBER 10: The new 2021 Chevrolet Suburban High Country is shown on stage after it was revealed by General Motors at Little Caesars Arena on December 10, 2019 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Bill Pugliano/Getty Images)
Toyota Tundra - 256,000 miles
PONTIAC, MI – SEPTEMBER 21: The new 2022 Toyota Tundra pickup truck, the first Toyota truck to offer a hybrid powertrain, is shown at the 2021 Motor Bella auto show on September 21, 2021 in Pontiac, Michigan. The outdoor show runs from September 21 to September 26 and features over 350 cars, trucks, and utility vehicles on display, ride-along opportunities with professional drivers on a hot laps track, test drives, off-road track activations, and unique technology displays. (Photo by Bill Pugliano/Getty Images)
GMC Yukon XL - 252,000 miles
NEW YORK – MARCH 20: The GMC Yukon Hybrid sport utility vehicle stands on display at the New York International Auto Show March 20, 2008 in New York City. The show opens to the public March 22. (Photo by Jonathan Fickies/Getty Images)
Toyota Prius - 250,000 miles
LOS ANGELES, CA – NOVEMBER 28: The 2019 Toyota Prius with all-wheel drive is shown at the auto trade show, AutoMobility LA, at the Los Angeles Convention Center on November 28, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. More than 50 vehicles will debut during AutoMobility LA, which precedes the LA Auto Show, open to the public December 1-10. (Photo by David McNew/Getty Images)
Chevy Tahoe - 250,000 miles
DETROIT, MI – DECEMBER 10: The new 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe is revealed by General Motors at Little Caesars Arena on December 10, 2019 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Bill Pugliano/Getty Images)
Honda Ridgeline - 249,000 miles
DETROIT, MI – JANUARY 11: The new 2017 Honda Ridgeline midsize pickup truck is revealed to the news media at its global debut at the 2016 North American International Auto Show January 11th, 2016 in Detroit, Michigan. The NAIAS runs from January 11th to January 24th and will feature over 750 vehicles and interactive displays. (Photo by Bill Pugliano/Getty Images)
Toyota Avalon - 246,000 miles
DETROIT, MI – JANUARY 15: Toyota introduces the 2019 Avalon at the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) on January 15, 2018 in Detroit, Michigan. The show is open to the public from January 20-28. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)
Toyota Highlander Hybrid - 246,000 miles
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – FEBRUARY 09: Toyota introduces their 2024 Grand Highlander at the Chicago Auto Show on February 09, 2023 in Chicago, Illinois. The show, which is the nation’s largest and longest-running auto show, opens to the public on February 11. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)
SOURCE | iSeeCars
