The Toyota Prius Prime plug-in hybrid is deemed the greenest car sold in the U.S. for 2024 by the … [+]
Electric cars have been getting a bum rap lately for a variety of reasons, most notably their premium prices, cold-weather battery range and the unfortunate state of public charging. But there’s no arguing that electrified vehicles producing zero tailpipe emissions are typically friendlier to the environment than even the most-efficient gas-only models.
Thus it should come as no surprise that both full electric (EV) and partially-electric hybrid (HEV) and plug-in hybrid (PHEV) vehicles dominate this year’s “Greenest List” compiled by the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE). Seven out of the 12 cleanest rides for 2024 are full electric, which is up from five last year and three models in 2020. And those who complain that it costs too much money to drive an environmentally-friendly vehicle should take note that seven out of dozen cars on the 2024 Greenest List start at under $35,000.
“It’s important for automakers to keep expanding affordable EV options rapidly so that the benefits of EVs are available to drivers across a wider spectrum of incomes as we transition away from cars that burn gasoline,” says Peter Huether, ACEEE’s senior transportation research associate. “For drivers whose needs are not met by today’s charging infrastructure, many efficient and affordable hybrid options are available.”
Unfortunately, none of the EVs and PHEVs on the greenest list for 2024 are eligible for a federal tax credit of up to $7,500 that’s otherwise granted to qualifying buyers of models that meet stringent requirements for domestic assembly and parts/battery sourcing.
On the plus side, at least as far as consumers are concerned, average prices for full-electric models reportedly dropped by 18% last year in reaction to supply and demand issues, and aided by recent supply chain improvements and falling battery prices.
On top of that, automakers have been ramping up incentives on EVs in recent months to help move the metal, with some subject to five-figure cash rebates or 0% financing. Also, several automakers are exploiting a loophole in the tax credit rules that allows them to pass along the full $7,500 for which their vehicles wouldn’t otherwise qualify to customers via their leasing programs.
Each of the 1,200 mainstream vehicles the ACEEE evaluates is given an overall Green Score that can be used to compare the relative environmental friendliness – or unfriendliness as the case may be – from one model to another. These are expressed on a 100-point scale, with higher numbers better. The top-performing 2024 model in this regard is the Toyota Prius Prime, with a green score of 71. We’re counting down the 12 greenest models below, noting their starting prices and Green Scores for 2024.
The ACEEE’s ratings is based upon more than just a vehicle’s energy efficiency and its emissions estimates (fine particulates, nitrogen oxides, hydrocarbons, etc.) reported to the Environmental Protection Agency and the California Air Resources Board. The ACEEE’s ratings further take a “cradle to grave” approach to the impact a given model has on the environment.
This includes manufacturing disposal, a model’s energy source, emissions from manufacturing and the impact of disposal and recycling. Plug-in cars further consider emissions associated with electricity production, which in the real world can vary depending on local energy sources, with renewables being the cleanest.
But since not everyone necessarily wants or is able to own an electric car, the ACEEE’s website identifies “greener” gas- and hybrid-powered choices on their GreenerCars.org website. For 2024 these alternates include the gas-powered subcompact Mitsubishi Mirage, the Mini Cooper Convertible, Kia Soul, BMW Z4 and the Ford Ranger pickup.
And where there are winners there must be losers, and to that end the ACEEE likewise complies an annual list of the environmentally “Meanest Cars,” which for 2024 is led by the notoriously big and boxy Mercedes-Benz AMG G63 SUV with a paltry Green Score of just 20 out of 100. We’re featuring this year’s dirty dozen in a separate post.
The 12 Greenest Cars For 2024
Source: ACEEE; the full report can be found here.
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