The Greenest 2011 Model-Year Vehicles List is finally here and to the surprise of many, the list is filled with a lot of traditional gasoline engine vehicles.
This year’s list, which consists of 12 cars, was ranked by the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy and contains what they believe to be the most eco-friendly cars on the market.
The natural gas-powered Honda Civic GX topped the list for an eighth year in-a-row, with a score of 54. Following close behind the Honda Civic GX, was none other than the Nissan LEAF. The hybrid electric Chevrolet Volt didn’t make the top ten vehicles, but it did manage to squeak into the last spot.
Internal combustion models such as the Smart Fortwo, the Ford Fiesta and the Hyundai Elantra were also on the list.
Unfortunately, the electric version of the Smart Fortwo did not make the list because it didn’t have enough sales. According to industry experts, the electric version of the Smart Fortwo would have pulled in a score of 60, if the vehicle didn’t have only 250 units of the 2011 model available in the U.S.
Diesel vehicles were not considered for this list. And the widely popular all-electric Tesla Roadster didn’t make the cut.
Battery manufacturing and disposal processes (which can be emissions-laden and toxic) were also key factors in calculating the official standings for the list, it also knocked some of the electricity-dependent vehicles down a few rungs.
“Vehicles running on electricity emit nothing from the tailpipe, but their ‘upstream’ emissions can be substantial, depending on where they’re charged,” said Therese Langer, the organization’s director. “As U.S. power generation becomes cleaner, these vehicles’ scores will rise.”
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