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The Best Car for the Environment Is Not an Electric Vehicle
Better Report ^ | 09/17/2024

Posted on 09/17/2024 8:35:59 AM PDT by SeekAndFind

If Mother Nature could talk, she’d probably ask if that gas guzzling Hummer is really necessary. Many car manufacturers would likely agree. However, even with a noted shift toward fully electric vehicle production in recent years, you may be surprised to learn that the most environmentally friendly car available isn’t fully electric at all — and that it’s based on a model that debuted in the late 1990s. If you’re one of the many prospective car owners hoping to lessen your carbon footprint without sacrificing safety or quality, then this may be the best vehicle for you.

Meet the Most Environmentally Friendly Car

According to a report from the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy, the greenest car available today is the Toyota Prius Prime SE. 2024 marks the third time this model has topped the list, having previously done so in both 2020 and 2022. This plug-in hybrid vehicle achieved a “Green Score” of 71, considering factors such as fuel economy, vehicular emissions, pollution generated from the manufacturing process, and other elements that contribute to general air pollution. This means that the Toyota Prius Prime SE is about 1.65 times more efficient than the average car on the road, and over four times better than the worst.

The 2024 Toyota Prius Prime SE runs on a combination of electricity and gasoline, and can travel for 44 miles on an electric charge before switching over to hybrid mode. According to the official rankings, the car generates 55 mpg in the city and 52 mpg on the highway, which is hard for any other model to top. In terms of price, you’re looking at an MSRP of $32,975, placing it firmly between budget and luxury car models; however, the estimated annual $529 energy cost for gas and electricity is hard to beat.



TOPICS: Society; Travel
KEYWORDS: cars; environment; ev; hybrids
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1 posted on 09/17/2024 8:35:59 AM PDT by SeekAndFind
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To: SeekAndFind

The greenest automobile must be taxpayer-funded large black SUVs with V-8 engines since the government uses them for bureaucrats, including the Secretary of Transportation.


2 posted on 09/17/2024 8:42:35 AM PDT by T.B. Yoits
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To: SeekAndFind

Can’t stand Pious drivers...


3 posted on 09/17/2024 8:52:43 AM PDT by Vendome (I've Gotta Be Me https://youtu.be/wH-pk2vZG2M)
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To: SeekAndFind

Ev batteries are not environmentally friendly period.


4 posted on 09/17/2024 8:56:27 AM PDT by Mastador1
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To: Mastador1

EVs are about saving the planet the same way CoupFlu vaxxes are about protecting public health.


5 posted on 09/17/2024 8:57:06 AM PDT by mewzilla (Never give up; never surrender!)
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To: SeekAndFind

What many of us have known for years- a plug in hybrid (Prius Prime as an example) is the smart answer.

We love our 2015 Ford Fusion Energi. Not a good seller but a great investment.


6 posted on 09/17/2024 9:05:55 AM PDT by Blueflag (To not carry is to choose to be defenseless.)
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To: SeekAndFind

I haven’t bought a new car in quite a while and so those sticker prices made my eyes pop out.


7 posted on 09/17/2024 9:11:57 AM PDT by fwdude
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To: Vendome
Can’t stand Pious drivers...

They put too much smug in the air.
8 posted on 09/17/2024 9:14:22 AM PDT by dfwgator (Endut! Hoch Hech!)
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To: SeekAndFind

The Flintstones car is the most environmentally friendly.


9 posted on 09/17/2024 9:31:10 AM PDT by Doctor Congo
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To: SeekAndFind
Hyundai Elantra Hybrid Blue

They stopped making the Ioniq Hybrid. Ioniq is now Hundai's EV....that said,

I have a 2017 hyundai Ioniq that has an unlimted hybrid battery warranty (they stopped offering "unlimited")

I've owned approx. 50+ cars in my lifetime(bought the same car twice...don't ask; was in the "car of the month" club...don't ask).

This Hyundai(and I've owned 6 - whole family - daughter\son\daughter-in-law; grandson; wife; me) own hyundais except my Granddaughter
Its Monroney says 57 city 59 hwy MPG. (Sometimes I can squeeze 64+ out of it with just regular flat road cruise driving in the summer)
Traded in a Prius C for it.
This Ioniq is the best (and will probably be he last) car I've ever owned.
10 posted on 09/17/2024 9:35:51 AM PDT by stylin19a (America-has citizens who will cross an ocean to fight for freedom but won't cross the street to vote)
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To: SeekAndFind

11 posted on 09/17/2024 9:38:54 AM PDT by DannyTN
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To: stylin19a

I ALMOST bought the Ioniq. The first time I went to buy it the a**h**e salesperson caused me to walk out. I went to a different dealership and was about to buy it but just couldn’t get over the dual clutch transmission - I previously had a Focus and the DCT failed on me about 6 times.
So I went with a Jetta and I still routinely get over 50 mpg highway, and have even reached over 60 on individual trips if conditions are just perfect. Ironically the Jetta had a transmission class action suit (rattling noise on certain shifts aside it hasn’t caused me any actual problems).


12 posted on 09/17/2024 9:45:38 AM PDT by CraigEsq (,)
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To: CraigEsq

Congrats. VW makes clean lined-nice looking-performing cars. price puts me off.
DCT troubles are minimum...i get a lag kicking up to the next gear while driving @ about 42 mph.


13 posted on 09/17/2024 10:06:53 AM PDT by stylin19a (America-has citizens who will cross an ocean to fight for freedom but won't cross the street to vote)
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To: Vendome

Every damn time it is a Prius driver slowing down the fast lane on the interstate when I have to drive through California. Every damned time. And of course the obligatory democrat party bumper sticker.


14 posted on 09/17/2024 10:29:41 AM PDT by Organic Panic (Democrats. Memories as short as Joe Biden's eyes)
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To: CraigEsq

The Diesel passat I had in Germany was fantastic. Fast, and got near 50MPG even at German speeds. Piss poor quality on every else but that engine was great. Can’t buy them in the USA.

Dream car... Diesel Toyota Hilux, BUT... Our bureaucratic betters don’t let those in the USA either.


15 posted on 09/17/2024 10:32:24 AM PDT by Organic Panic (Democrats. Memories as short as Joe Biden's eyes)
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To: SeekAndFind

Horse Puckey.

When Used Cars Are More Ecofriendly Than New Cars

"...A 2004 analysis by Toyota found that as much as 28 percent of the carbon dioxide emissions generated during the lifecycle of a typical gasoline-powered car can occur during its manufacture and its transportation to the dealer; the remaining emissions occur during driving once its new owner takes possession...."

16 posted on 09/17/2024 10:51:44 AM PDT by Paal Gulli
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To: stylin19a

Can any Hundai owner help me with a fob issue

2011 Sonata

fob battery change and wont work
red light blinks but car ignores


17 posted on 09/17/2024 10:59:37 AM PDT by George from New England (escaped CT back in 2006)
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To: George from New England

Make sure plus side is down. Lotta bad advice about + side up.

can you do an emergency start ?
i assume you tried all the other options

https://www.700r4transmissionhq.com/hyundai-sonata-key-fob-not-working-5-common-causes/

there is a video about “resetting” the FOB.

good luck...


18 posted on 09/17/2024 4:33:44 PM PDT by stylin19a (America-has citizens who will cross an ocean to fight for freedom but won't cross the street to vote)
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To: stylin19a

DCT troubles are minimum...i get a lag kicking up to the next gear while driving @ about 42 mph.


Good to hear. I bought my Focus CPO and a few months later my transmission died on the parkway. There were times I was stuck in a parking lot or driveway because I couldn’t reverse. It failed completely probably 5 or so times and they had to replace the clutches. Always refused to replace the whole transmission, only would replace the clutches. Then 8 months or so later I was back at the dealership with a failed transmission again.


19 posted on 09/18/2024 6:34:58 AM PDT by CraigEsq (,)
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To: CraigEsq
dang...you would think that car should have come under the lemon laws...
20 posted on 09/18/2024 8:07:25 PM PDT by stylin19a (America-has citizens who will cross an ocean to fight for freedom but won't cross the street to vote)
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