What is your favorite green car and why?

[jonyboyy]

I am looking into buying a green car and need some help. I know the green car market has certainly gotten bigger but can anybody give me some info on what their favorite green car is? a pros and cons list would be great..thanks

[kymsolaris]

Here is an article that discusses some of the newest green cars:

Eco-Saturday: Green Machines

Remember when the Toyota Prius was the only green car in the game? Ever-spiking gas prices and a car-buying public eager to live green have put an end to all that. This summer, with a Honda hybrid sports coupe making a splashy debut and Chevrolet taking orders for it's plug-in hybrid, the Volt, the pedal's to the metal on the eco-autobahn.

Chevy's Volt, powered by batteries and backed up by a gas engine, comes with a price tag of $41,000. (Tax credits take the total down a bit.) The Volt takes 10 hours to charge, then has a range of about 40 miles before the back-up engine has to kick in. Unlike previous electric cars, which had to be re-juiced at the socket when they ran dry, the Volt's back-up gas engine (which makes electricity) means drivers won't be left high and dry.

Car guru Dan Neil of The Wall Street Journal recently talked about the Volt with NPR, discussing the high price and performance. Interest is high enough that Chevy has upped its production of the hybrid to 45,000 vehicles in 2012. President Obama drove one and loved it.

Meanwhile, reviews are rolling in for the Honda CR-Z, the first true hybrid sports car. The two-seater offers "conservationist virtues and Kardashian curves on a Kmart budget" says the Lps Angeles Times. Though the CR-Z's fuel economy hovers in the 39-mpg range, reviewers seem taken with the car's zip and verve.

So how about it: Is $41k too steep for an electric car? Is a hybrid that can't manage more than 40 mpg worthy of its name?

[someguy]

Personally i prefer a prius but if you have the money just go for a bmw 335.. believe it or not it has remarkably low emissions and is quite fuel efficient.

Best Green Cars, Data Explained
Price Range: range of manufacturer’s suggested retail price + destination fee for different trim levels
EPA City/Hwy MPG: official mpg estimates for city and highway driving; your mileage may vary
Annual Fuel Cost: assumes $2.85/gallon regular gasoline, $3.00/gallon diesel, with 15,000 miles driven annually at 55% city, 45% highway
Air Pollution Score: from the EPA; zero = most tailpipe emissions, 10 = least
Greenhouse Gas Score: from the EPA; zero = most greenhouse gas emissions, 10 = least
UCS Hybrid Value: from the Union of Concerned Scientists; a measure of the bang for your buck of the hybrid system; best rating is Very High; learn more at Hybrid Center.
ACEEE Green Score: from the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy; the higher the score, the more eco-friendly the car; highest 2010 score is 57; learn more at ACEEE’s Green Book online.



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2010 Ford Fusion HybridType: Gasoline-electric hybrid, sedan
Price Range: $28,675 – $32,620
EPA City/Hwy MPG: 41/36
Annual Fuel Cost: $1,096
Air Pollution Score: 8
Greenhouse Gas Score: 10
UCS Hybrid Value: High
ACEEE Green Score: 47

•The best hybrid from an American automaker. Better mpg than the Toyota Camry
•Hybrid, and a legitimate competitor to the Toyota Prius.
•Capable of running up to 47 mph solely on electric power.
•Its fun, intuitive and interactive real-time mpg information screens and feedback icons make it easy to improve your driving habits and maximize the car’s hybrid system.
•Comfortable interior with room for five passengers.
•Smooth drive: Ignore the mpg screen and you might not realize you are driving a hybrid.
•Ties with the Honda Civic Hybrid for best crash safety ratings of the six winners.
•Winner of the prestigious Motor Trend Car of the Year award for 2010. Some experts say it is the most fun to drive hybrid on the market.


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2010 Honda Civic HybridType: Gasoline-electric hybrid, sedan
Price Range: $24,510 – $27,710
EPA City/Hwy MPG: 40/45
Annual Fuel Cost: $1,018
Air Pollution Score: 9
Greenhouse Gas Score: 10
UCS Hybrid Value: High
ACEEE Green Score: 51

•Great option if you prefer a more traditional car design over the “Hey, it’s a hybrid” look.
•The perennial No. 2 green car behind the Prius, the Civic Hybrid remains a great option but faces increasing competition.
•A Top Safety Pick from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. Ties with the Ford Fusion Hybrid for best crash safety ratings of our six winners.


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2010 Honda InsightType: Gasoline-electric hybrid, hatchback
Price Range: $20,510 – $23,810
EPA City/Hwy MPG: 40/43
Annual Fuel Cost: $1,043
Air Pollution Score: 8
Greenhouse Gas Score: 10
UCS Hybrid Value: Medium
ACEEE Green Score: 50

•Most affordable hybrid car available.
•Intuitive real-time driving feedback displays make it easy to maximize mpg.
•Capable of significantly better mpg than the EPA’s estimates with a little effort.
•Has a decent amount of zip; transitions between gas power, electric power and gasoline-electric are super smooth.
•If you don’t regularly need much room for multiple passengers (the back seat is really tight), the Insight may be your best option among hybrids because of its price.


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2010 Toyota PriusType: Gasoline-electric hybrid, sedan/hatchback
Price Range: $23,550 – $28,820
EPA City/Hwy MPG: 51/48
Annual Fuel Cost: $855
Air Pollution Score: 8
Greenhouse Gas Score: 10
UCS Hybrid Value: Very High
ACEEE Green Score: 52

•The benchmark for green cars, now in its third generation. New version is bigger and more powerful, but still holds the top mpg rating among all cars.
•Capable of electric-only mode at low speeds (up to about 25 mph) and highway coasting.
•Optional solar roof powers a fan that helps cool the interior when parked in hot weather.
•Named best new-car value by Consumer Reports for its reliability and low cost to operate.
•Comfortable interior, with room for five. Solid safety ratings and features (but do ask about the specific car’s brake recall status when you’re Prius shopping).


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2010 Volkswagen Golf TDIType: Diesel, hatchback
Price Range: $23,104 – $24,809
EPA City/Hwy MPG: 30/42
Annual Fuel Cost: $1,324
Air Pollution Score: 6
Greenhouse Gas Score: 8
ACEEE Green Score: 43

•The best small diesel car for your buck.
•Eligible for a federal tax credit of up to $1,700.
•Sporty drive and looks, but still capable of mpg in the upper 30s or low 40s.
•With 40-plus mpg at highway speeds, the Golf is a great option for primarily highway drivers.
•If maintained, diesel engines typically hold up longer (with better mpg, too) than gas engines.
•May require slightly more ongoing maintenance (which might be covered in the buyer’s package, depending on current offers) than a comparable gas car.


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2010 Volkswagen Jetta TDIType: Diesel, sedan
Price Range: $23,580 – $24,680
EPA City/Hwy MPG: 30/42
Annual Fuel Cost: $1,324
Air Pollution Score: 6
Greenhouse Gas Score: 8
ACEEE Green Score: 43

•One of the best examples of how clean diesel technology makes diesel cars a competitive green alternative to hybrid cars.
•Eligible for a federal tax credit of up to $1,300.
•A roomy, comfortable sedan. Wagon version also available for more cargo space.
•Great option for primarily highway drivers and/or those with small families.
•Capable of better mpg than the EPA estimates with a little effort.
•More affordable than the Prius, with comparable real-world highway mpg (low to high 40s).
•Long-term reliability projections are good, but the clean diesel system may require a bit more ongoing maintenance than you’d need for a comparable gas car. Warranties and buyer packages may cover some of that maintenance.

[koddio]

Here is an electic motorcycle that looks hot:

Zero Motorcycles: Bringing Innovative Electric Motorcycle Designs

We can’t seem to get away from the electric motorcycle craze here at AllAboutBikes, and lately I feel like that’s all I’ve been talking about. The benefits of going electric are obvious, and now even the California Energy Commission is taking notice.

Zero Motorcycles, the global leader for the electric motorcycle industry, was recently awarded a $900,000 grant to develop an advanced compact electric powertrain project, with the help of electric powertrain component suppliers. The Zero internal development team created a strategy to ensure their electric rides provide the leading range, performance, and efficiency for buyers.

The Zero headquarters are located in Santa Cruz where residents look to gain employment opportunities and economic growth because of the project. On top of the $900,000 from the California Energy Commission, the city of Santa Cruz and additional contributors brought the funding amount to a staggering $1,840,000.

Gene Banman, CEO of Zero Motorcycles recently said, “This is a milestone for us because it allows Zero to control the development of its entire powertrain.”

[someguy]

just go prius... its the best

[jonyboyy]

hmmmmmmmmmmmm yea i probably will ... gotta go on their website and get some quotes and stuff

[mmmoralesss]

prius = god

[jonyboyy]

Smart Car Offers Drivers New High MPG Option, Top Crash Rating
by Kellen Schefter

01/20/2008
Smart Crash Action

Those who have followed the development of Daimler AG's tiny and trendy microcar, the smart (lower case intentional), have surely wondered about this vehicle's safety. Now they need wonder no more. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) recently crash tested the 2008 smart fortwo and found it performed so well it earned the Institute's best ratings for front and side crash protection. Plus, its rear crash worthiness was rated as "acceptable," the Institute's second-highest rating.

Driving the smart fortwo in the United States, which we did recently in Northern California, serves as a clear reminder of just how different the smart really is. Like the VW New Beetle and Mini Cooper before it, the smart elicits looks: Our test drive became the subject of countless cell phone camera snapshots as we passed through downtown Palo Alto and San Jose. But unlike those cars, which reinvigorated an existing vehicle segment through nostalgia-laden styling, the smart is so small and so new that, to American eyes at least, it's unlike anything else on the road.
Two Smarts

Daimler AG (and in recent times until now, DaimlerChrysler AG) has been teasing us with the prospect of a smart car in the U.S. ever since the brand's introduction in 1997. Ask the executives today to explain the wait, and they will say that the car wasn't ready until now. Indeed, the second generation smart fortwo, the one that we'll be getting here, was redesigned with the U.S. market in mind. The changes included ensuring the new car met emissions regulations in all 50 states, as well as U.S. crash standards. Still, it isn't difficult to see that Daimler is taking advantage of an opportunity: More than ever, U.S. buyers are taking into account the environmental impact of their vehicles and looking for, shall we say, smarter alternatives. And so it is that, having sold some 770,000 copies of the first-generation fortwo in 36 countries, the most compact automobile currently in production will take on the world's largest automotive market.

So how small is the smart? At just a hair over 106 inches long, the smart fortwo is over three feet shorter and about five inches narrower than the aforementioned Mini. That's small. But with an extra five inches in height and an upright driving position, the driver's view of the road is more commanding than the size suggests. The interior room is surprising, too. As the name indicates, the fortwo is strictly a two-seater, but those two will find plenty of leg- and headroom. While the cabin is narrow, the passenger seat is positioned six inches further back to avoid any unwanted shoulder rubbing. Cargo space is limited to the space behind the seats, which provides 7.8 cubic feet if you stack your luggage up to the beltline, or 12 cubic feet if you stack it to the roof.
Smart Gauges

Contributing significantly to the sense of interior space is the airy cabin. In an era of increasingly complex electronics and switchgear, the smart's dash layout brings refreshing new meaning to the term "spartan." The instrument panel appears to be floating over the passengers' feet, leaving the floor entirely open except for a couple of cupholders and the shift lever. The simple center-stack containing the stereo and an elegant climate control system is easy to see and use, and the rest of the dashboard is covered by a fabric that looks cool and feels tough. All of this is designed to create a sense of openness and calm, so claustrophobics should have nothing to worry about. In fact, smart is confident that any potential buyers concerned about fitting in the car need only sit in one to put their minds at ease, and we wholeheartedly agree.

One potential hurdle we didn't anticipate is the transmission. While technically a five-speed manual transmission, the clutch is computer controlled and shifting requires only tapping the gear lever, pushing one of the steering wheel-mounted paddles, or letting the automatic mode do all the work. Such a setup works great in ultra-high-performance machines where lightning-fast shifts are the name of the game, but the effect is less thrilling when toned down for use with a 1.0-liter, three-cylinder 70 horsepower engine. An up-shift in either manual or automatic mode pitches the car forward slightly as the power is cut, the gear changes, and after a long (by automated manual standards) delay, acceleration resumes. The delay probably isn't much longer than what might be expected of a hand-performed manual shift, but the sensation is a bit strange.

As a car designed for metropolitan use, smart engineers chose the automated manual solution to eliminate the inconvenience of working a clutch in stop-and-go traffic, while also avoiding the bulk of a conventional automatic unit. The system is foolproof: It won't allow over-revving, it resets to first gear from a stop, and it creeps slowly when the driver releases the brake pedal like a normal automatic. The smart even receives some tweaks specifically for the U.S. market, including the typical American PRND shift pattern, a shorter first gear ratio for sprightlier acceleration, and a longer fifth ratio for calmer cruising. Still, we're not sure how U.S. drivers will take to the shifting sensation, although it may only be a matter of acclimation over time.
Smart Rear

The good news is that, other than the odd transmission feel, the smart fortwo drives remarkably well. The 12.8 second 0-60 mph time won't set any pulses racing, but we didn't have any trouble getting the smart up to speed when merging onto the highway. Once there, the cabin remains notably quiet, and even with the 1.0-liter engine working hard, very little engine buzzing gets through. The car feels a bit twitchy and exhibits a slight yawing motion at certain speeds - both products of the short 73.5 inch wheelbase and a good argument for keeping both hands on the wheel. While the smart seemed happy enough to cruise along relatively peaceful Highway 280 and flirt with its 90 mph top speed, a drive through Los Angeles in rush hour traffic would be a better test of the smart's highway credentials.

Of course, in the city, the smart fortwo is in its element. The car is unbelievably maneuverable, able to slip past obstacles, and make turns that simply are impossible in larger cars. Driving the smart requires readjusting one's spatial expectations. We almost invariably found ourselves with a foot to spare, even in what we thought were the tightest situations. Needless to say, parking is a cinch. Currently, smart is working with municipalities around the country to ensure drivers won't be ticketed for pulling off a park job perpendicular to the curb; so far, they say, the response has been positive. For those who do most of their driving in the city, the smart will have immediate appeal.
Smart Overhead

Efficiency is another area where small has a distinct advantage. Relying only on the principle of small displacement and low mass, the smart fortwo delivers 33 mpg in the city and 40 mpg on the highway, according to 2008 EPA standards. For the benefit of those not used to the EPA's revised standards for 2008, smart representatives are quick to point out that the smart would have achieved 40/45 mpg under the 2007 provisions. In any case, those are good numbers, if perhaps not as high as some might expect for such a phenomenally small car. The 10 gallon (8.7 gallon plus 1.3 gallon reserve) fuel tank offers a respectable range. One bummer: smart recommends premium 91 octane fuel to maximize power and efficiency, though it will get by on regular. On the plus-side, low exhaust emissions earn the fortwo an Ultra Low Emission Vehicle (ULEV) classification.

Safety may be a harder sell because of this car's tiny size in a world of much larger vehicles, but that job should be easier now because of the smart's very favorable crash test ratings from the IIHS. The key to this crashworthiness is the smart's so-called tridion safety cell, which is so central to this car's identity that its distinctive silver C-shape dominates the exterior design. The cell distributes the impact of a crash over the car's body and protects the occupants inside. The compact design of the smart also offers certain advantages. The rear-mounted engine is designed to break away and slide underneath the passenger compartment in the event of a rear impact, absorbing energy and reducing the rebound inherent in such a stiff structure. Furthermore, the short wheelbase means the likelihood of hitting an energy-absorbing axle in a side-impact is higher, while the high sitting position means better protection in side and frontal impacts. Playing supporting roles to the structure are two full-size front airbags and two side airbags, plus ABS and a standard electronic stability program that includes traction control.
Smart Crash Aftermath

Still, it remains to be seen if the American public, which notoriously associates size with perceived safety, will feel comfortable piloting such a small car even with its admirable crash test results. Much of smart's marketing efforts will be aimed at getting buyers to make the leap from their bigger-is-better intuition to embrace the company's intelligent engineering argument.

So how will smart get its message out? So far, the marketing tactics have been as unconventional as the car itself. The company did a road show that took the fortwo to 50 different U.S. cities, racking up some 50,000 test drives. A $99 reservation program through the company's website also netted over 30,000 reservations for the car from 50 states, all without traditional marketing and before a dealer network was in place.

[john.roger288]

I have the Lexus Hybrid 250H, and its great, I get about 35 mpg city and street, and its a nice more upscale luxury car......40k about with some options...

[Josh44]

I drive Honda's. They've always been green (or red, or blue, or orange). Seriously, my mileage is about 35 highway, and the car still scoots away from a stop very quickly. I consider it green.