Ford Fiesta ECOnetic
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Have you seen the price of gasoline? Even if you didn’t care about the environment at all, you would want an alternative fuel car in this day and age. Car buyers throughout the world are attempting to lower fuel and repair costs in order to preserve their bank accounts, the life of their car, and the environment for future generations. With these make and models, your conscience and your bank account will both rest easy.
Chevrolet Volt
Plug and play with the Chevrolet Volt, made in the USA; the Volt is the most fuel-efficient compact car with a gasoline engine according to the Environmental Protection Agency. The Volt has a 1.4 L 4 cylinder combustion engine with a 111 KW (149 hp) electric motor and one 55 KW (74 hp) permanent magnet motor/generator. The lithium-ion battery allows for nearly 100% use of electric energy for short jaunts around town with regular charging after use. The Volt has a top speed of 100 mph (160 km/h) and reaches 0 to 60 mph (0-97km/h) in 9.2 seconds with gasoline propulsion assist. Low on emissions, high on miles per gallon with excellent safety features, the Chevy Volt is a top choice in the eco-friendly car game.
Toyota Prius Plug-in
Toyota rolled out the Prius Plug-in (PPI) this year along with the 3rd Generation Prius. The Plug-In has a 1.8 L cylinder DOHC 16-Valve with Variable Valve Timing with intelligence ECO/POWER Modes performing at 98 hp @ 5200 rpm (73 kW @ 5200 rpm); 105 lb.-ft. @ 4000 rpm (142 N•m @ 4000 rpm); 134 hybrid system net hp (100 kW). The Plug-in is considered a mid-size hybrid with an all-electric range between 14-17 miles (23-27 kilometres). It takes about 3 hours to fully charge and has a smooth transition between electric and hybrid mode. Toyota will fully release the Plug-In in 2013 for the United States, after a limited coastal release in 2012.
Fisker Karma
Finland takes the hybrid to another level with the Fisker Karma, a luxury plug-in sports sedan with a subcompact rating. The Karma has a 2L turbocharged eco-tech engine with two 120 kW (161 hp) motors and 479 N-m or torque. With an electric range of 32 miles (51 km) the Karma performs reliably. Furthermore the solar roof is capable of generating a half kilowatt-hour a day and is estimated to provide up to 4 to 5 miles (6.4–8.0 km) of additional range a week assuming continuously sunny days.
Ford Fiesta ECOnetic
The Ford Fiesta ECOnetic is a front wheel drive supermini/subcompact with a 1.6-litre 4 cylinder TDCi engine. It has a top speed of 111mph and zooms up to 60mph in 12.9 seconds. Ford sent the ECOnetic back to research and design in order to drop the emissions rates and improve the greenness of the machine and they succeeded in dropping the CO2 emissions down to 87g/km.m.
Renault Clio 1.5 dCi 90 ECO
The Renault Clio is their answer to the Ford ECOnetic with a 4 cylinder diesel engine and top speed of 112 mph boasting 950 miles between fuel stops. A supermini subcompact with 200Nm torque, this car can get you from London to Nice, France and back with fuel left over.
While slow to get going, the US is now catching on to the green eco-friendly game. For your plug in hybrids, keep your eye out for designed parking with electric plugs and priority spaces for hybrid vehicles. Changing from combustion engine to hybrid or electric might cost you a little power but the trade-off will save you hundreds if not thousands in fuel and repair costs.