2024-03-14 11:35:11
Toyota Prius plug-in hybrid beats electric models
The greenest car in the US is the Toyota Prius plug-in hybrid, followed by four electric cars and two full hybrids. An electric car is among the ten least environmentally friendly cars on the American market. These are the results of the newly published ranking of Greener Cars, which is maintained by the American non-profit research organization ACEEE – American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy.
The latest plug-in version of the popular Japanese Toyota Prius model achieved a score of 71 points in this way as well
won by a decent margin over the other cars – most of which were all electric
There are 6 models with pure electric drive in the top ten.
The Lexus RZ and Toyota bZ4X, although technically the same vehicle, are placed in different places in the eco ranking. There are two plug-in hybrids in the top ten – Hyundai Elantra and Toyota Camry.
The reason why the plug-in hybrid won may also lie in Akio Toyoda’s words from October 2022. The boss of the world’s largest carmaker said then that Toyota could build eight plug-in hybrids that would travel 64 km of electricity, instead of an electric car with a range of 515 km, “and thus
will save up to eight times more carbon,
emitted into the atmosphere”. Apparently that’s the truth.
When determining the rating, it’s not just what comes out of the tailpipe that is measured, then all electric cars should come first. In this case, “the costs to human health through air pollution related to the production and recycling of cars, the production and distribution of fuel or electricity, as well as direct tailpipe emissions” are estimated, ACEEE specifies on its website.
The organization cites the Prius’ efficient body shape, advanced technology and light weight as the main factors behind its top spot in the rankings. The Prius Prime SE’s smaller battery not only contributes to lower weight, but also means less pollution from battery production and less rare materials needed in its production.
Amid a market flooded with larger electric vehicles like America’s, the Prius Prime SE’s victory
highlights the environmental benefits of smaller, more efficient cars
Plug-in hybrids, capable of running on electricity for short trips and switching to gasoline or hybrid mode outside of cities, offer a practical solution for drivers who are not ready to commit to fully electric cars. This flexibility, combined with the challenges of America’s charging infrastructure,
makes plug-in hybrids an attractive option
for those who want to reduce their carbon footprint without compromising on comfort, according to American specialists.
Otherwise, the ranking for the most polluting cars in America is logically occupied by large SUVs and pickup trucks with powerful gasoline engines. According to ACEEE, the least environmentally friendly car is the Mercedes-AMG G 63 with a score of 20 points. However, even the worst eco-ten includes an all-electric car. It’s the GMC Hummer EV SUV, which is the ninth least environmentally friendly car in the US with 29 points.
