Fuel efficiency is often name as the central ingredient to set a car ’s green ingredient , and yes , it ’s certainly important . But it does n’t tell the whole story . When you cut up the global - warm up pie , CO2 emissions are a vast slash – and one that eco - driven consumers sometimes do n’t fully grasp when it arrive to electric vehicles likeTesla . True , an electric elevator car wo n’t emit CO2 on the way from point A to point B , but you ca n’t call it a zero - discharge fomite when quite a little of CO2 is produced to recharge its batteries .
So which cars aretruly environmentally efficient ? And where do EVs like Tesla heap up , really ? I turned to the EPA ’s listing of fuel saving and emission data for over 1,300 cars and trucks on the market today . count at every car ’s MPG , divide by the grams of CO2 it emits per international nautical mile , gives us our " Thrillist Efficiency Score . " For EVs , its MPGe ( which is like fuel economic system … but for electrics ! ) over the average CO2 emitted for one mile ’s charge . And behold : the top - five most environmentally efficient vehicles , in nine dissimilar EPA categories .
Note : you’re able to understand more about my methodological analysis at the bottom , and a nimble line if you force back an EV ( or want to buy one ): these emission number represent the internal norm , but your machine ’s emission number will vary found on where your index is come in from . I.e. , if your magnate is twist - based , your car will have a better grade . If it ’s from a coal - based magnate plant , just get a bike , bro .
Courtesy of FCA
Midsize cars
The range of a function of the LEAF , at 107 miles , might not be assure to anyone with a long - aloofness campaign forward of them , but for everyday metropolis drive , it ’s punishing to contend with Nissan ’s galvanizing result . Meanwhile , the intercrossed version of the Hyundai Sonata has a pretty nifty achievement here ; it beat out some heavy hitters to get this rank .
1.Nissan LEAF
Thrillist Efficiency Score:0.56MPGe:114CO2 grams per mile:204Price:$29,010
2.Hyundai Sonata Plug-in Hybrid
Thrillist Efficiency Score:0.39MPGe:40CO2 g / mile:101Price:$21,750
3.Toyota Prius Two Eco
Thrillist Efficiency Score:0.35MPGe:56CO2 g / mile:158Price:$24,700
4.Mercedes-Benz B250e
Thrillist Efficiency Score:0.30MPGe:84CO2 g / mile:277Price:$41,450
5.Ford Fusion Hybrid S
Thrillist Efficiency Score:0.30MPGe:38CO2 g / mile:129Price:$25,185
Compact cars
The compact - auto segment is actually pretty crowded , which is why it ’s so of import for the Volt to come through the efficiency sweepstakes against the the like of the Hyundai Veloster , VW Beetle , and Volvo S60 , not to refer the entry - tier Prius .
1.Chevrolet Volt
Thrillist Efficiency Score:0.82MPGe:42CO2 grams per mile:51Price:$24,720
2.Volkswagen e-Golf
Thrillist Efficiency Score:0.58MPGe:116CO2 g / mile:201Price:$28,995
3.Ford Focus Electric
Thrillist Efficiency Score:0.47MPGe:105CO2 g / mile:221Price:$29,170
4.Audi A3 e-tron Ultra
Thrillist Efficiency Score:0.30MPGe:41CO2 g / mile:138Price:$37,900
5.Toyota Prius c
Thrillist Efficiency Score:0.28MPG:50CO2 g / mile:128Price:$19,560
Minicompact cars
This is a minor category , and I ’m not just saying that to make a horrid wordplay . There simply is n’t a bully variety of elevator car to pick from here – most of the top 10 for this category are in reality various FIAT 500 and MINI Cooper models , including the Cooper S and 500 Abarth . If you have n’t peck up on the trend of humble , lightweight cars being efficient , consider this your concluding card . After the inexpensive auto are picked through , there ’s a routine of a price jump to the Porsches and Ferraris of the mankind .
1.FIAT 500e
Thrillist Efficiency Score:0.55MPGe:112CO2 grams per mile:206Price:$32,300
2.MINI Cooper
Thrillist Efficiency Score:0.11MPG:31CO2 g / mile:286Price:$20,700
3.Subaru BRZ/Toyota GT86
Thrillist Efficiency Score:0.09MPG:28CO2 g / mile:317Price:$25,395/$26,100 *
- AsScion FR - S , before Toyota rename
4.Porsche 911 Cabriolet
Thrillist Efficiency Score:0.06MPG:23CO2 g / mile:380Price:$101,700
5.Ferrari California T
Thrillist Efficiency Score:0.04MPG:19CO2 g / mile:479Price:$206,473
Large cars
Perhaps surprisingly , Tesla does n’t crack the top 10 in terms of environmental efficiency unless it ’s broken down by the EPA ’s system , falling short of Ford ’s galvanising Focus and the Chevy Volt among others . Even within the big - car class , unless you hold out somewhere with really fair electricity production , the S550e actually produces less carbon dioxide per mile than a Tesla . You ’ll just be spending a destiny more on gas , thanks to its 26mpg .
1.Tesla Model S
Thrillist Efficiency Score:0.44MPGe:101CO2 grams per mile:229Price:$76,500
2.Ford C-MAX Hybrid SEL
Thrillist Efficiency Score:0.18MPGe:40CO2 g / mile:225Price:$27,170
3.Mercedes-Benz S550e
Thrillist Efficiency Score:0.12MPGe:26CO2 g / mile:227Price:$95,650
4.Kia Optima
Thrillist Efficiency Score:0.11MPG:32CO2 g / mile:281Price:$21,990
5.Hyundai Sonata
Thrillist Efficiency Score:0.11MPG:32CO2 g / mile:282Price:$21,750
Standard sport utility vehicles
These SUVs are n’t on the dot bastion of eco - friendliness . That said , the technology involved in keeping them as environmentally friendly as theyare , given their heft , is quite considerable . The majority of SUVs on the route visualize efficiency paygrade in the 0.2 reach , MPGs barely over 10 , and CO2 emissions toping700gper mile . give that , these five are downright Kermit - approved .
1.Infiniti QX60 Hybrid
Thrillist Efficiency Score:0.08MPG:26CO2 g per mile:342Price:$52,050
2.Volvo XC90 Plug-in Hybrid
Thrillist Efficiency Score:0.06MPGe:24CO2 g / mile:373Price:$68,100
3.Jeep Grand Cherokee
Thrillist Efficiency Score:0.06MPG:25CO2 g / mile:405Price:$29,995
4.Ford Explorer
Thrillist Efficiency Score:0.05MPG:22CO2 g / mile:408Price:$31,050
5.Dodge Durango
Thrillist Efficiency Score:0.05MPG:22CO2 g / mile:412Price:$30,495
Minivans
minivan just are n’t nifty for the environment either . At least not aright now . you’re able to fence advert nauseam whether they ’re vehicle for uncool parents who have given up , or badass utilitarian vehicles that make life history easy , but , at least harmonize to the EPA , you ca n’t buy one that gets 25mpg .
1.Nissan Quest
Thrillist Efficiency Score:0.06MPG:23CO2 grams per mile:395Price:$26,580
2.Honda Odyssey
Thrillist Efficiency Score:0.06MPG:22CO2 g / mile:402Price:$29,400
3.Chrysler Pacifica
Thrillist Efficiency Score:0.05MPG:22CO2 g / mile:416Price:$28,595
4.Kia Sedona
Thrillist Efficiency Score:0.05MPG:21CO2 g / mile:432Price:$26,400
5.Toyota Sienna
Thrillist Efficiency Score:0.05MPG:21CO2 g / mile:430Price:$28,850
Small sport utility vehicles
Technically , this whole class should be call crossover , but that ’s neither here nor there . The smallest " SUVs " are in reality fairly tightly bunched together in terms of environmental efficiency , so price and personal taste are really your braggart square up factors here .
1.Lexus NX300h
Thrillist Efficiency Score:0.12MPG:33CO2 grams per mile:270Price:$39,720
2.Honda HR-V
Thrillist Efficiency Score:0.11MPG:31CO2 g / mile:285Price:$19,215
3.Buick Encore
Thrillist Efficiency Score:0.10MPG:30CO2 M / mile:293Price:$24,065 ( 2016 )
4.Lexus RX 450h
Thrillist Efficiency Score:0.10MPG:30CO2 g / mile:297Price:$52,235
5.Mazda CX-5
Thrillist Efficiency Score:0.10MPG:29CO2 g / mile:302Price:$21,795
Subcompact cars
Ding ding ding!We have a winner , ladies and gentleman’s gentleman : the i3 reign supreme , not just in the subcompact category , but acrossallcategories . Interestingly , the i3 is at its most efficient when it apply a gasoline - power range of a function extender , a statistic that verbalize volume about the average efficiency of electricity production in America .
1.BMW i3- Best in Show
Thrillist Efficiency Score:1.07MPG:39CO2 grams per mile:37Price:$42,400
2.Chevrolet Spark EV
Thrillist Efficiency Score:0.61MPGe:119CO2 g / mile:195Price:$25,120
3.Mitsubishi i-MiEV
Thrillist Efficiency Score:0.54MPGe:112CO2 g / mile:206Price:$22,995
4.Cadillac ELR
Thrillist Efficiency Score:0.35MPGe:32CO2 thou / mile:91Price:$57,500
5.Scion iA
Thrillist Efficiency Score:0.15MPG:37CO2 g / mile:243Price:$16,545
Two-seaters
1.Smart Fortwo Electric Coupe
Thrillist Efficiency Score:0.49MPGe:107CO2 g per mile:217Price:$14,640 ( non - electric )
2.Honda CR-Z
Thrillist Efficiency Score:0.16MPG:37CO2 g / mile:238Price:$20,295
3.Mazda MX-5 Miata
Thrillist Efficiency Score:0.10MPG:30CO2 g / mile:295Price:$24.915
4.Alfa Romeo 4C
Thrillist Efficiency Score:0.09MPG:29CO2 g / mile:317Price:$55,900
5.Mercedes-Benz SLK300
Thrillist Efficiency Score:0.09MPG:28CO2 g / mile:321Price:$47,000
Methodology
for the right way equate car of various types of propulsion ( i.e. , electric and gasoline / diesel motor ) , you need to forecast out their energy pulmonary tuberculosis in a comparable unit of measurement . The EPA does this , but only for fuel efficiency , with MPG and MPGe , which is the " equivalent " MPG for an galvanizing vehicle . concord to the EPA , every gal of gas is the equivalent weight of 33.6 kiloWatt hour ( kWh ) , and every kWh results in just under 690 g of CO2 product , on intermediate .
With that knowledge , I convert every car ’s fuel efficiency from MPG ( and MPGe ) to gallons per geographical mile . Since the EPA has real - reality measuring ( in Gram per mile ) for gasoline- and diesel - powered cars , I convert just the electrically powered cars to kWh / mile , then simply multiplied by 690 to get the median CO2 expelling required for a mile ’s charge .
observe on electrical energy output : Production methods vary greatly in term of pollution . A ember - ground powerfulness plant produces exponentially more CO2 than a wind farm , for instance . Thus , to ingeminate , if your electric power is farting - based , your galvanising railway car will have gloomy defilement number than show here , and the opposite is true if you have coal great power . These phone number represent the national average , so accept that in mind when looking at the final result .
Courtesy of Nissan
take down on the category : Some of the class placements may seem a slight unknown because the EPA goes off of national book and cargo space when determining a car ’s " official " family . Thus , a Rolls - Royce Phantom Drophead Coupe is a compact car , while a Nissan LEAF is mid - sized . Go figure .
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Aaron Milleris theCarseditor for Thrillist , and can befound on Twitter . His car is officially a subcompact , manifestly , and it did n’t number near to making this list .
Courtesy of Chevrolet
Courtesy of FCA
Courtesy of Mercedes-Benz
Courtesy of Volvo
Courtesy of Toyota
Courtesy of Lexus
Courtesy of BMW
Courtesy of FCA
