Juxhina Malaj 
Have you decided to buy a green car? A fuel efficient diesel or hybrid or an EV? Good for you! And good for our precious environment too! You won’t regret buying an environmentally friendly car. Ever. As you know already, fuel prices are going up every day and diesel emissions technology is getting more and more expensive to maintain as well.
Some of the best green cars you can buy today
Mitsubishi Mirage- subcompact car
One of the most environmentally friendly cars, Mitsubishi Mirage has a green score of 54 out of 100. This green car is considerably cheap, has as an option manual transmission and it is considered as the most fuel efficient car that is not a hybrid. Oh, and let’s not forget about how easy to park this car is. If you live in a big city and have trouble with parking on a daily basis, Mitsubishi Mirage is the urban car you are looking for. This car can fits everywhere, even in a space you think would never fit. On the downside, besides not being very fast and powerful, the acceleration causes Mirage’s engine to make a certain noise. But if you are driving on good roads, the ride will be pretty quiet most of the time. You can buy the 2015 Mitsubishi Mirage in the U.S. and in Canada.
Specifications: (http://www.caranddriver.com/mitsubishi/mirage)
VEHICLE TYPE: front-engine, front-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 5-door wagon
PRICE AS TESTED: $16,890 (base price: $13,790)
ENGINE TYPE: DOHC 12-valve inline-3, aluminum block and head, port fuel injection
DISPLACEMENT: 73 cu in, 1193 cc
Power: 74 hp @ 6000 rpm
Torque: 74 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm
TRANSMISSION: continuously variable automatic
FUEL ECONOMY:
EPA city/highway: 37/44 mpg
C/D observed: 26 mpg
Smart Fortwo Electric Drive
The smart fortwo electric drive combines the latest technology with sophistication and it is super easy to drive. Even though it is not very powerful, the smart fortwo electric drive has a green score of 61 out of 100, which makes it the number one most environmentally friendly car. According to uk.smart.com, ‘the smart fortwo electric frive not only has the innovative safety concept of the smart fortwo, but lots of sophisticated measures have alse been taken to protect the battery.’ The smart fortwo electric drive has a small motor and waits only 2115 pounds. The new 2016 Smart Fortwo will launch in the States in late 2015.
Specifications: ( http://www.plugincars.com/smart-ed)
| Availability: | Now |
| Base MSRP: | $25700 |
| Est. tax credit: | $7500 |
| Technology: | Electric Vehicle |
| Body type: | Coupe |
| Seats: | 2 |
| EPA Range: | 68 miles pure electric |
| Battery size: | 17 kWh |
| Charging rate: | 3.3 kW |
Fiat 500e
This car is kind of hard to find because it is available to buy only in e few markets. But if you are willing to do whatever it takes to find and buy this car, your efforts will be worth it. This car is 100% electric; it has a green score of 59, out of 100, and an advanced high-voltage lithium-ion battery pack.
Specifications: (http://www.caranddriver.com/fiat/500e)
VEHICLE TYPE: front-engine, front-wheel-drive, 4-passenger, 3-door hatchback
PRICE AS TESTED: $32,995 (base price: $32,500)
MOTOR TYPE: permanent-magnet AC synchronous electric motor, 111 hp, 147 lb-ft; 24-kWh lithium-ion battery pack
TRANSMISSION: 1-speed direct drive
FUEL ECONOMY:
EPA city/highway driving: 122/108 mpge
C/D observed: 87 mpge
2015 Chevrolet Spark EV
The 2015 Spark EV, just like Fiat 500 e, features a lithium-ion battery and has a green score of 59 out of 100. You can charge this car in two ways:
1. One, you can use the standard 120V cord that can be plugged in any household outlet. If you want to charge it faster, 240V can fully charge the battery in less than 7 hours. 2. The other charging option is to use SAE Combo Fast-Charging stations which can charge the battery up to 80% in less than 20 minutes. Is it me, or technology is advancing way too fast lately? Good for us anyway. Besides being able to choose how to charge this car, you will have the opportunity to enjoy its stylish and spacious interior. Unlike the slightly noisy Mitsubishi Mirage, the 2015 Chevrolet Spark EV is surprisingly quiet on the inside as well as in the outside and safety is its top priority.
Specifications:(http://www.plugincars.com/chevrolet-spark-ev)
| Availability: | Now |
| Base MSRP: | $27500 |
| Est. tax credit: | $7500 |
| Technology: | Electric Vehicle |
| Body type: | Coupe |
| Seats: | 4 |
| EPA Range: | 82 miles pure electric |
| Battery size: | 19 kWh |
| Charging rate: | 3.3 kW |
Nissan Leaf
This bestseller electric car was first introduced in Japan and US in 2010 and held the ‘Car of the year’ title in Japan in 2011-2012. With a green score of 57 out of 100 this five door hatchback green car is relatively cheap and powerful, can drive up to 84 miles with one charge and it is family friendly.
Specifications:(http://www.plugincars.com/nissan-leaf )
| Availability: | Now |
| Base MSRP: | $29800 |
| Est. tax credit: | $7500 |
| Technology: | Electric Vehicle |
| Body type: | Sedan |
| Seats: | 5 |
| EPA Range: | 84 miles pure electric |
| Battery size: | 24 kWh |
| Charging rate: | 6.6 kW |
Toyota Prius c
With a green score of 57 out of 100, this Toyota hybrid is super easy to maneuver. This green car is designed specifically for people that live in a big city. Its small size makes it easy to fit in any parking lot. It comes with 9 airbags and a driver plus front passenger advanced airbag system.
Specifications:(http://www.plugincars.com/toyota-prius-plugin-hybrid)
| Availability: | Now |
| Base MSRP: | $30800 |
| Est. tax credit: | $2500 |
| Technology: | Plug-in Hybrid |
| Body type: | Sedan |
| Seats: | 5 |
| EPA Range: | 11 miles electric + gasoline |
| Battery size: | 4 kWh |
| Charging rate: | 3.3 kW |
Did you make up your mind yet? I hope this list made it easier for you to pick a green car that best fits your need and daily routine. Just keep in mind that these are not the only green automobiles available on the market. There are plenty of other green cars out there waiting for you to discover and test drive. Just keep looking and you will find the right one.
Which one is your favorite from the list? If you are to add another one to this list, what car would that be? Thanks!
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