According to Wikipedia...
'A green vehicle is a road motor vehicle that produces less harmful impacts to the environment than comparable conventional internal combustion engine vehicles running on gasoline or diesel, or one that uses certain alternative fuels.'
Green vehicles can be powered by alternative fuels and advanced vehicle technologies including:
- hybrid electric vehicles
- plug-in hybrid electric vehicles
- battery electric vehicles
- compressed-air vehicles
- hydrogen and fuel-cell vehicles
- neat ethanol vehicles
- flexible-fuel vehicles, natural gas vehicles
- clean diesel vehicles (some sources also include vehicles using blends of biodiesel and ethanol fuel or gasohol)
An environmental analysis extends beyond just the operating efficiency and emissions. A life-cycle assessment involves production and post-use considerations. A cradle-to-cradle design is more important than a focus on a single factor such as energy efficiency.
Comparison of energy efficiency between battery and hydrogen fuel-cell cars.
Best Low Emissions Green Cars (source)
BMW i3
The incredible BMW i3 was the first iof what could be an extensive line-up of zero-emissions vehicles from the brand, and it’s packed with hi-tech materials and cutting-edge engineering. With its punchy 168bhp motor and traditional rear-wheel-drive layout, it's great to drive as well.
It is also available with an optional range-extending motorcycle engine that keeps the batteries topped up.
Without the range extender the BMW i3’s range stands at anywhere between about 80 miles and 125 miles depending onhow you drive; with the range-extender those numbers could double.
For many, it's perfect: commuting to a place with a charge point could mean you never have a range problem.
The BMW i3 is about the same size as a Ford Fiesta but it feels higher and larger inside. Compared to many electric cars, like the Renault ZOE or Vauxhall Ampera, it’s also very lightweight thanks to its carbon fibre and aluminium construction – in fact, it’s about 300kg lighter than a Nissan LEAF.
It is also available with an optional range-extending motorcycle engine that keeps the batteries topped up.
Without the range extender the BMW i3’s range stands at anywhere between about 80 miles and 125 miles depending onhow you drive; with the range-extender those numbers could double.
For many, it's perfect: commuting to a place with a charge point could mean you never have a range problem.
The BMW i3 is about the same size as a Ford Fiesta but it feels higher and larger inside. Compared to many electric cars, like the Renault ZOE or Vauxhall Ampera, it’s also very lightweight thanks to its carbon fibre and aluminium construction – in fact, it’s about 300kg lighter than a Nissan LEAF.
VW Golf Bluemotion
Best green cars – The Volkswagen Golf BlueMotion delivers 88mpg with a distinct lack of green car compromises
The best green car currently on sale is the Volkswagen Golf BlueMotion. The genius behind VW’s eco crusader is the way it delivers 88.3mpg without constantly reminding you you’re driving a green car.
The 1.6-litre diesel engine offers reasonable performance and a premium feel pervades the elegant Golf interior. A series of aerodynamic and mechanical tweaks contribute to the Bluemotion’s sparkling performance at the pumps.
The best green car currently on sale is the Volkswagen Golf BlueMotion. The genius behind VW’s eco crusader is the way it delivers 88.3mpg without constantly reminding you you’re driving a green car.
The 1.6-litre diesel engine offers reasonable performance and a premium feel pervades the elegant Golf interior. A series of aerodynamic and mechanical tweaks contribute to the Bluemotion’s sparkling performance at the pumps.
SEAT Leon Ecomotive
Best green cars – SEAT’s Leon Ecomotive pushes diesel family hatch fuel economy to its limits.
Closely related to the Volkswagen Golf, SEAT’s Leon is a formidable family hatch package and in Ecomotive form it adds a big green string to its bow.
Lowered suspension, low rolling resistance tyres, and other modifications assist the Leon’s 1.6 TDI diesel engine to combined cycle fuel economy of 88.3mpg. Three and five-door versions are available at under £20,000.
Closely related to the Volkswagen Golf, SEAT’s Leon is a formidable family hatch package and in Ecomotive form it adds a big green string to its bow.
Lowered suspension, low rolling resistance tyres, and other modifications assist the Leon’s 1.6 TDI diesel engine to combined cycle fuel economy of 88.3mpg. Three and five-door versions are available at under £20,000.
Vauxhall Ampera
Best green cars – the futuristic looks of Vauxhall’s Ampera hide an advanced range-extender hybrid powertrain.
According to the official fuel economy tests, the Vauxhall Ampera will return a scarcely credible 235mpg with CO2 emissions of 27g/km. Those kinds of figures may not me achievable in real-world driving but buyers can be certain that the Ampera will prove to be exceedingly green.
The Ampera is a range-extender hybrid, meaning it’s primarily an electric car but has a small 1.4-litre petrol engine that acts as a generator. You get the silent-running efficiency of an electric vehicle without the range anxiety.
According to the official fuel economy tests, the Vauxhall Ampera will return a scarcely credible 235mpg with CO2 emissions of 27g/km. Those kinds of figures may not me achievable in real-world driving but buyers can be certain that the Ampera will prove to be exceedingly green.
The Ampera is a range-extender hybrid, meaning it’s primarily an electric car but has a small 1.4-litre petrol engine that acts as a generator. You get the silent-running efficiency of an electric vehicle without the range anxiety.
MINI Cooper D
Best green cars – Who said electric cars have to be dull? The MINI Cooper D is a green car with some fire in its belly.Is the MINI Cooper D a green car? That depends on your definition, what isn’t in doubt is that it’s a very good car that also happens to be seriously fuel-efficient.
With 80.7mpg and 92g/km CO2 emissions from its 114bhp, 1.5-litre three-cylinder engine the diesel MINI can live with the best of today’s eco-car heroes. Where it beats them is on grounds of style, desirability and driver enjoyment.
With 80.7mpg and 92g/km CO2 emissions from its 114bhp, 1.5-litre three-cylinder engine the diesel MINI can live with the best of today’s eco-car heroes. Where it beats them is on grounds of style, desirability and driver enjoyment.
Toyota Prius Plug-in
Best green cars – Toyota’s Prius is the car that popularised hybrid technology and the latest Plug-in model shows how far it’s come.
The Toyota Prius has come to represent hybrid cars but with new models using the technology flooding the market, it’s had its work cut out staying ahead of the game.
The Prius Plug-in is a Prius like no other – a plug-in electric hybrid which will do an astonishing 108.6mpg on the combined cycle and emit just 59g/km of C02.
The Toyota Prius has come to represent hybrid cars but with new models using the technology flooding the market, it’s had its work cut out staying ahead of the game.
The Prius Plug-in is a Prius like no other – a plug-in electric hybrid which will do an astonishing 108.6mpg on the combined cycle and emit just 59g/km of C02.
BMW 116d EfficientDynamics
Best green cars – BMW’s 116D is the most efficient BMW this side of the brand’s i electric car range.
BMW’s EfficientDynamics technology aims to yield significant efficiency improvements without sacrificing the sharp handling BMW is renowned for. On the 116D EfficientDynamics it does a fine job.
BMW’s 1 Series mixes involving rear-wheel-drive dynamics with impressive interior quality. Add-in the economical diesel powertrain from the 116D ED and you have a fun family car that can return 74mpg on the combined cycle.
BMW’s EfficientDynamics technology aims to yield significant efficiency improvements without sacrificing the sharp handling BMW is renowned for. On the 116D EfficientDynamics it does a fine job.
BMW’s 1 Series mixes involving rear-wheel-drive dynamics with impressive interior quality. Add-in the economical diesel powertrain from the 116D ED and you have a fun family car that can return 74mpg on the combined cycle.
Ford Fiesta ECOnetic
Best green cars – The greenest version of Ford’s Fiesta adds low running costs to an already outstanding overall package
The Ford Fiesta ECOnetic has always been one of our favourite green superminis as it’s great fun to drive, looks good and feels surprisingly upmarket.
The latest version is powered by a 1.6-litre diesel engine, bringing CO2 emissions of 87g/km and pushing fuel economy up to an incredible 85.6mpg.
The Ford Fiesta ECOnetic has always been one of our favourite green superminis as it’s great fun to drive, looks good and feels surprisingly upmarket.
The latest version is powered by a 1.6-litre diesel engine, bringing CO2 emissions of 87g/km and pushing fuel economy up to an incredible 85.6mpg.
Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV
Best green cars – Mitsubishi’s hybrid Outlander PHEV sets the standard for SUV efficiency.
No other SUV can match the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV’s running costs – and it feels a well resolved car, too. The refinement is excellent and no other car combines this amount of space with such good fuel economy.
As a result of its hi-tech plug-in hybrid powertrain, this four-wheel-drive, five-seat SUV can run on electricity for 32 miles, and promises fuel economy of 148mpg and CO2 emissions of 44g/km.
No other SUV can match the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV’s running costs – and it feels a well resolved car, too. The refinement is excellent and no other car combines this amount of space with such good fuel economy.
As a result of its hi-tech plug-in hybrid powertrain, this four-wheel-drive, five-seat SUV can run on electricity for 32 miles, and promises fuel economy of 148mpg and CO2 emissions of 44g/km.
Volkswagen Polo Bluemotion
Best green cars – Volkswagen’s classy Polo supermini is at its greenest in Bluemotion guise
The VW Polo Bluemotion is powered by a 1.2-litre three-cylinder diesel engine, and delivers 80.7mpg combined cycle returns. It achieves its sparkling economy with a mixture of low-rolling-resistance tyres, long gearing in the five-speed manual box and stop-start.
Yet climb aboard, and you wouldn’t recognise this Polo as an eco model. The interior has the solid, durable feel of any Volkswagen, while the boot size is up there with the best, at 280 litres.
The VW Polo Bluemotion is powered by a 1.2-litre three-cylinder diesel engine, and delivers 80.7mpg combined cycle returns. It achieves its sparkling economy with a mixture of low-rolling-resistance tyres, long gearing in the five-speed manual box and stop-start.
Yet climb aboard, and you wouldn’t recognise this Polo as an eco model. The interior has the solid, durable feel of any Volkswagen, while the boot size is up there with the best, at 280 litres.