Drivers are having to become more eco-conscious when they choose a car
for two good reasons. Firstly it is clearly sensible to try and lessen
your carbon footprint and by choosing a vehicle which is far from being
a gas-guzzler you can do just that. Secondly, the price of traditional
fuel is rising. Picking a car that is efficient will save you cash as
well as ease your conscience. Whether you buy a used Nissan Leaf to cut
down on the cost of motoring, or opt for a new model, investing in a
green car should be a sound decision in the long run. Here are some of
the latest green cars to hit the road.

 

Nissan Leaf
Nissan is not the first company to create an electric-only vehicle which
has no form of petrol engine, but it is hoping that the Leaf will become
the bestselling car in its category. The Leaf can deliver the equivalent
fuel economy of 99 miles per gallon and will travel 109 miles on a
single charge, so its range is better than the previous generation of
electric vehicles. It is also no slouch when it comes to performance,
with its electric motor generating 110bhp, a decent output for a small
family vehicle.

 

Honda CR-Z
The CR-Z is perhaps the best looking hybrid on the market and while the
pedestrian looks and performance of the Toyota Prius may have marred the
image of hybrids in general, this Honda model is aiming to restore some
street cred. Its 122bhp is developed through a combination of the 1.5
litre petrol engine and internal electric motor. When on the highways
you will get 39 miles per gallon from this car, but it operates best in
city environments where its electric power is put to good use.

 

Ford Fiesta ECOnetic
Ford has made an impressive attempt to increase the fuel economy of this
new Ford Fiesta by delivering 63.6mpg from the turbo diesel engine via a technology
called Duratorque. The one problem is that it is not necessarily going
to launch in the US due to tight regulations governing emissions. While
diesels of the past have been considered a little dirtier than petrol
equivalents, the same is no longer true of modern diesel vehicles. It is
hoped that Ford will get the Fiesta ECOnetic out to American drivers as
soon as possible.

 

Chevrolet Volt
With super low emissions and a hybrid engine, the Volt is a contemporary
sedan with futuristic styling and more than its fair share of critics
and plaudits. It can go 40 miles on the electric engine alone. If you
run out of juice, it has a gas backup that will extend this range to 300
miles, so you get the best of both worlds.

 

CT 200h
Luxury and hybrid performance meet in the CT 200h. It has a 1.8 litre
petrol engine and can deliver 43mpg thanks to its eco-friendly power
plant. It may be smaller than many other US vehicles with its hatchback
styling but it is also one of the more affordable Lexus models on the
market, getting you into a premium badge without the associated price
tag.