The environment and its greenhouse gas levels have become a major issue and the judgment is clear. If we don’t do something serious about reducing our carbon footprint soon, the Earth may as well be toast. Or at least the human race would be. So in the spirit of positivity, lets put our best wheels forward and go for cars with the lowest emission around.
Obviously, we are talking about electric cars or EVs, as these are the ones that really help us run our wheels without being a drain on the environment. We already know about the Tesla, so here are 10 other cars that are doing their bit to save the Earth…
10 Nissan Leaf: 300,000 & Counting
Nissan Leaf has been one of the best low emission cars in the global markets. Leaf debuted in the States in 2010 and has been a success story in the EV segment from day one. This Japanese giant has sold more than 300,000 Leaf globally. It is also offered with lucrative federal EV tax benefits for being a low emission vehicle, which means you save some green when you buy the Leaf.
The Leaf’s second-gen was launched in the year 2017, and its efficiency ratings and hatchback proportions were the keys to its continuing success. It offers a range of 151 miles on a single charge and efficiency of 125 MPGe in the city.
9 Chevrolet Bolt EV: Compact But Powerful
For a subcompact car, Chevrolet Bolt EV has a lot to offer. The electric motor's 200 horsepower and 266 ft-lb should be good enough to convince any EV buyer. Plus, a range of 238 miles on a single charge made it a superstar overnight. Bolt EV carries a very reasonable price tag in the domestic markets.
It may have reached showroom floors in 2016, but it took the car just one year to secure the second spot as the best-selling plug-in car in the domestic market. Tesla’s Model S was at the number one spot that year.
8 Hyundai Ioniq EV: A Lifetime Battery Warranty
That the Ioniq offers a lifetime warranty for its battery is proof enough that Hyundai really trusts its EVs. The Ioniq also boasts the highest efficiency ratings in the electric car bazaar and claims of an MPGe figure of 150 in the city and 122 on the highway.
The battery gives a modest range of 124 miles on a single full charge. To offset this, the Ioniq EV uses a permanent magnet synchronous motor unit to put out a healthy 118 horsepower and 218 ft-lb of torque. As of today, Ioniq EV is exclusive to the buyers in CARB states.
7 Audi E-Tron Sportback: Worth Waiting For
The E-Tron comes from the stable of an indomitable player in the automobile industry. The E-Tron Sportback has everything that an Audi should have. E-Tron is powerful, luxurious, comfortable, and gives off an environment-friendly vibe.
It has one of the best electric motors in the auto market – twin electric motors that can deliver a massive 435 horsepower. The power can be boosted up to 503 horsepower as well. The Audi E-Tron Sportback’s 95 kWh battery is worth 250 miles between charges and can be one zippy, guilt-free ride.
6 Toyota Prius: Curries Favor With Celebrities
The Prius is the favorite ride of many an environmental-conscious celebrity like Emma Watson, Cameron Diaz, Jennifer Aniston, and Jennifer Lawrence. The Prius is a hybrid electric vehicle and is rated as one of the cleanest vehicles by both the EPA and CARB.
The Prius Liftback crossed the 4 million sale mark way back in January 2017. With a respectable efficiency rating, the Prius manages 133 MPGe in all-electric mode but has a one-time charge of only 25 miles.
5 Volkswagen e-Golf: Give Up Gasoline
Despite the recent emission scandal that overtook VW, it still churned out a gem of an EV car most VW drivers can be proud of. Modeled on the now-defunct Golf that ran on gasoline, the e-Golf came equipped with a 134 horsepower 214-ft-lb electric motor. It manages a fairly respectable 126MPGe in the city and a 111MPGe on the highway; with a range of 90-130 miles on a single full charge.
The key to this car is a rather quick sprint of 0-60mph in 8.5 seconds and a top speed of 85mph that makes it one zippy, eco-friendly drive. The insides are pretty spacious for its otherwise compact size.
4 Hyundai Kona Electric: The Compact Ute
When you take an SUV, compact it up, replace the gasoline engine with an electric motor, and give it a new stylish makeover – well, you get the Hyundai Kona Electric. The optimized model has a 201 horsepower motor capable of a very nice 258 miles on a single full charge on its 64 kWh battery.
The standard model is not far behind at 39.3 kWh and 133 horsepower, managing 150 miles on a single charge. The Kona was even named 2019's North American Utility Vehicle of the Year. If you need more convincing, it does a cool 132MPGe in the city and a respectable 108 on the highway, to hell or otherwise.
3 Fiat 500e: For the 500 Fans
For all those who are still in love with the Fiat 500, Fiat has made something specifically for you. The Fiat 500e calls itself “100% electric, 0% boring” and it’s a cool ride, as long as you stick to just the city. The electric motor is defined as a permanent-magnet, three-phase synchronous-drive that manages a respectable 111 horsepower and 147 ft-lb torque.
The battery lets you drive 100 miles on a single full charge of four hours. The white interiors are definitely eye-catching, as is the feel of the all-new electric Fiat. It may not be electrifying but it certainly is a good electric car.
2 Kia Soul EV: Patience Is A Virtue
For Kia fans looking forward to getting their hands on the all-new 64 kWh Kia Soul EV, the wait has become unbearable. While the initial U.S. launch was expected to happen sometimes in 2019, apparently, now it will happen only in 2020. Therefore, the 109 horsepower existing generation that gives a 111-mile range on a single charge and a torque of 201 ft-lb will have to do.
The design is pretty spiffy and the electric motor should be given an award because of its silent revving. The 2020 model will only be available in the 14 states that have adopted the CARB stringent emission rules.
1 Jaguar I-Pace: The Jag Goes Electric
Forbes dubbed the I-Pace as the world’s first legitimate Tesla fighter, and there may be some truth to that claim. The I-Pace is an all-electric SUV made by Jaguar, a brand synonymous with top quality. The car offers the 298-mile range on a single charge, 0-60mph sprint in 4.5 seconds, and of course, a superb 395 horsepower married to a whopping 513 ft-lb torque.
When it comes to electric cars, it doesn’t get much more impressive than the I-Pace, unless it’s a Tesla. The Jag is a Jag, and an all-round stunner. Plus, it can be charged even when it is raining or snowing…