The World’s Greenest Cars

The auto industry has been criticized for the global warming threat because of the huge amount of greenhouse gases produced by vehicles. In response to this, car manufacturers have been developing cars with good fuel efficiency and less greenhouse gas emissions. While there is no technology developed yet which eliminates the dependence on fossil fuel with practicality, the auto market is already home to a wide range of green cars. One way to determine the environment friendliness of a vehicle is by its carbon dioxide emission and its mileage rating.

Currently, the cleanest mass production car which is within the reach of many car buyers is the Toyota Prius. This hybrid car has the distinction of being the European Car of the Year awardee. It uses a small internal combustion with an electric motor. The motor provides additional power to the Prius. During low speed operation, the 1.5-liter gasoline engine used by the Prius shuts down thus making the Prius suitable for city driving. Driving around city streets demands constant deceleration and acceleration. This is where the Prius shows its true potential. When braking, the energy produced is utilized to charge the car’s battery pack. This gives the Prius the reputation of being the greenest car today.

One drawback with the Prius is that it costs more than conventional gasoline-powered vehicles. This is because of the fact that advanced materials are used in the assembly of the vehicle.

Another good choice for environment-friendly drivers is the Citroen C2 1.4 HDi. This vehicle is powered by a diesel engine which is unlike the diesel engines that Americans have turned away from in the 1980s. The use of clean diesel technology allows the Citroen C2 to produce only 108 grams of carbon dioxide for every kilometer. Fuel efficiency is exemplary with its mileage rating of 69 mpg. Limited space is one of the drawbacks for the C2. But this lack of interior space is countered by a good handling dynamics and a look to match.

The bigger Citroen C3 is also a good choice for car buyers who think about the environment. While its bigger size reduces fuel mileage rating, it offers a bigger interior space unlike the C2. For car buyers who need the space, the C3 is the suitable green car. Both these cars can be fitted with aftermarket parts such as Borla exhaust to make them look better.

Another good choice for car buyers who wants to help protect the environment is the Renault Clio 1.5 dCi 80. This vehicle produces only 110 grams of carbon dioxide for every kilometer traveled. That shows how environment-friendly the Clio is. Running on diesel fuel and using exhaust gas filters, the engine of the Clio reduces fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emission as well. It also offers acceptable interior space which makes it a practical choice for single car buyers. Handling is respectable and ride comfort is decent.

Another wise choice for those looking for environment friendly cars is the Smart Fortwo. This gasoline-powered vehicle only produces 113 grams of carbon dioxide for a kilometer traveled. This odd looking car is designed to offer a good city driving vehicle for car buyers. It uses a fuel-thrifty gasoline engine which gives the Fortwo a gas mileage rating of 60 mpg. Aside from these vehicles, the Peugeot 206 HDi, the Ford Fiesta, Daihatsu Charade, Audi A2 and the Honda Civic Hybrid are also good choices for their low carbon dioxide emission and exemplary fuel mileage rating. The Peugeot 206 only produces 113 grams of carbon dioxide for ever kilometer while having a gas mileage rating of 65 mpg. The Ford Fiesta produces only 114 grams of carbon dioxide for very kilometer and a fuel mileage rating of 65 mpg. The Charade is estimated to produce 114 grams of CO2¬ for every kilometer with a mpg rating of 59. The A2 powered by a diesel engine produces 116 grams of CO2 per kilometer and has a mpg rating of 64. The hybrid version of the Honda Civic is rated to produce 116 grams of CO2 per kilometer. The Civic Hybrid is estimated to have a gas mileage of 57 mpg.