Top 2010 Eco-Friendly Cars: Which One is Best for You?

Eco-friendly cars are on the rise! Buying an environmentally friendly car can reduce or eliminate your gas consumption and thus your monthly transportation costs. It can also motivate the auto manufacturers to research, develop and make alternatives to the gasoline powered engine. This guide to the best eco-friendly vehicles for 2010 is designed to assist you in choosing the right one for you. These 2010 environmentally friendly cars are listed in order of size from the smallest to the largest.

1. City ZENN: http://www.zenncars.com/

ZENN stands for Zero Emission No Noise. This terrific 100% electric car is scheduled to come out in late 2009. Forget the 4-8 hours at the recharging bay, you can recharge this super eco-friendly vehicle in less than 5 minutes using a standard electrical outlet. Not only can the City ZENN go 250 miles on a single recharge, it can reach an electrifying speed of 80mph on the highway. Although prices are not yet available, previous models have been listed for under $30,000.

2. 2010 Toyota Prius: http://www.toyota.com/prius-hybrid/

As the leader in the small hybrid vehicle market, the Toyota Prius continues to stand out. The fuel economy is an astounding 51 mpg in the city and 48 mpg on the highway. One of the coolest features makes use of solar powered fans. These fans help your car beat the heat while you are parked by expelling the hot air from inside. You can also improve your fuel efficiency by using the ECO mode which helps you maintain consistent speeds by making the gas pedal less touchy. If you need the extra power or speed, you can switch to POWER mode and the gas pedal will respond quickly to your touch. Alternately, in the EV mode, the car can drive up to ½ mile using the electric motor 100%. I am amazed that the base MSRP price of $22,000 is so close to what I paid for my basic Prius model back in 2003 when consumers were still unsure about the new technology.

3. 2010 Ford Fusion hybrid:http://www.fordvehicles.com/2010fusion/

Although the fuel efficiency isn't as high as the Toyota Prius, this hybrid can still reach 41mpg in the city and 34 mpg on the highway. To further contribute to its environmentally friendly disposition, the Fusion hybrid uses recycled and environmentally friendly materials for the interior. Another novel eco-friendly feature is the "capless refuel filler" system which allows you to add fuel to your tank without removing the cap. You insert the nozzle into an airtight opening in the "cap" so that when you withdraw the nozzle no vapors escape into the air. With a base MSRP price tag of $27, 270, this is an affordable mid-size eco-friendly car.

4. Zap Xebra: http://www.zapworld.com/electric-vehicles/electric-cars/xebra-truck

This 100% electric light truck is the perfect solution for those who need the utility of a truck for short distances in the city. It can be used as a flatbed or dump truck and can carry up to 500 pounds. It recharges with any standard electrical plug and can go up to 25 miles before recharging or 40 miles with the optional extended range battery. As it can only reach speeds of 40 mph, it is definitely a city streets only truck but the low starting price tag of $12,500 makes it hard to beat.

5. Toyota Highlander hybrid:http://www.toyota.com/highlander/

If you need a vehicle with more seating and towing capacity, consider the Toyota Highlander hybrid. It can seat up to 7 people comfortably and tow up to 3500 pounds. Although its fuel economy isn't as good as the others on this list, it clearly beats the other 7+ passenger SUV hybrids. The eco-friendly Toyota Highlander hybrid gets 27 mph in the city and 25 mph on the highway. Considering that the larger seating capacity hybrid SUVs have base MSRP starting in the low $50,000 range, the Highlander hybrid's base MSRP of $34,700 puts it well ahead of the group.

The variety and number of eco-friendly vehicles are steadily increasing. This is only a sample of the best environmentally friendly cars for 2010. There is an eco-friendly car for everyone. The trick is to find the one that is right for you.

Sources:

The ZENN Home Page.http://www.zenncars.com/> Accessed July 29,2009.
The Toyota Prius Home Page. http://www.toyota.com/prius-hybrid/> Accessed July 29, 2009.
The Ford Fusion Home Page.http://www.fordvehicles.com/2010fusion/> Accessed July 29, 2009.
The Xebra Truck Home Page. http://www.zapworld.com/electric-vehicles/electric-cars/xebra-truck> Accessed July 29, 2009.
The Toyota Highlander Home Page. http://www.toyota.com/highlander/> Accessed July 28, 2009.