Five Inexpensive Earth Friendly Vehicles

Looking to save some money and help the environment? Check out these five earth-friendly vehicles that won’t break the bank!

The Toyota Prius

The Toyota Prius is a hybrid electric vehicle that was first introduced in 1997. The Prius uses a gasoline engine and an electric motor to power the vehicle, which helps to improve fuel efficiency. The Prius is also a very reliable vehicle with a very low emissions output, making it an earth-friendly option.

Overview

The Toyota Prius is a full hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) that was launched in 1997. It is a mid-size car produced by Toyota Motor Corporation and became the first mass-produced HEV in Japan when it went on sale in December 1997. In 2001, the second-generation Prius was launched worldwide. The third generation of the vehicle was launched in May 2009. 

The Prius has a gasoline engine and an electric motor. When starting from a stop, the gasoline engine will automatically turn off, and the electric motor will take over. The gasoline engine will restart when necessary, such as when going up an incline. This process happens seamlessly and without any input from the driver, making for a very efficient ride.

The beauty of owning a hybrid vehicle like the Toyota Prius is that you can significantly reduce your reliance on fossil fuels and save money on gas at the same time. In fact, the Prius gets an EPA-estimated 51 mpg city/48 mpg highway*, which means you can go about 600 miles on a single tank of gas. As gas prices continue to rise, owning a fuel-efficient car as the Prius becomes increasingly more valuable.

*Fuel economy estimates are based on EPA estimates for when vehicles are sold as new. Your actual mileage will vary depending on how you drive and maintain your vehicle

Fuel efficiency

While the Toyota Prius is most certainly not the only hybrid vehicle on the market, with its long list of features and well-known name, it is one of the most popular. The 2017 Toyota Prius boasts an EPA-estimated 52 mpg in combined driving, making it an excellent choice for those looking to save money and help the environment.

In addition to being fuel efficient, the Prius is also relatively affordable, with a starting MSRP of $24,685.2 Although the initial purchase price may be higher than that of a traditional gasoline-powered car, over time, you will save money on fuel costs, and with greater efficiency comes lower emissions.

If you’re looking for an earth-friendly vehicle that won’t break the bank, here are five others that you may want to consider:

1. Honda Civic Hybrid – Starting MSRP $23,4753
2. Ford Fusion Energi – Starting MSRP $33,3704
3. BMW i3 – Starting MSRP $42,4525
4. Chevrolet Volt – Starting MSRP $33,2206
5. Nissan Leaf – Starting MSRP $29,9907

Environmental impact

In addition to being the most fuel-efficient car sold in the United States, the 2018 Toyota Prius Prime has the lowest emissions of any vehicle — gasoline or electric — that is currently on the market. That’s according to the latest figures from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

The EPA rates the Prius Prime at 54 miles per gallon equivalent (MPGe) in combined city/highway driving. The agency also says the car produces 0 grams per mile of carbon dioxide (CO2), which is the main greenhouse gas emitted by cars and trucks.

The Toyota Prius Prime isn’t alone among low-emitting, fuel-efficient cars. There are several others that are nearly as clean and nearly as efficient. Here are five other inexpensive Earth-friendly vehicles to consider:

1. Honda Insight – The Insight is rated at 55 MPG-e and produces 0 g/mi of CO2. It starts at $23,725.
2. Chevrolet Volt – The Volt is rated at 53 MPG-e and produces 0 g/mi of CO2. It starts at $34,095.
3. Hyundai Ioniq Electric – The Ioniq Electric is rated at 136 MPGe and produces 0 g/mi of CO2. It starts at $30,335.
4. Nissan Leaf – The Leaf is rated at 112 MPGe and produces 0 g/mi of CO2. It starts at $29,990.

The Honda Insight

The Honda Insight is a hybrid vehicle that was first introduced in 1999. The car has a gas engine and an electric motor. Insight is one of the most fuel-efficient cars on the market, and it emits very little carbon dioxide.

Overview

Assuming that you are looking for an inexpensive, practical, and dependable car that happens to be earth-friendly, here are five vehicles to consider. You will find a mix of hybrid and electric cars as well as hydrogen fuel cell cars. The prices listed do not include any federal, state, or local tax incentives or rebates that may be available.

The Honda Insight is a hybrid gas-electric car that was first introduced in 1999. The Insight was the first hybrid vehicle sold in the United States and was also the most fuel-efficient car sold in America at the time of its release. The Insight is a two-seater with a 1.3-litre engine and gets an impressive mileage of 48 mpg in the city and 58 mpg on the highway. The starting price for a base model Honda Insight is $18,850.

The Toyota Prius is another hybrid gas-electric car that was first introduced in 1997 but wasn’t available in the United States until 2000. The Prius has a 1.5-litre engine and gets an EPA-estimated 54 mpg in the city and 50 mpg on the highway. The Prius is a five-passenger sedan with plenty of cargo space and a starting price of $24,200.

The Nissan Leaf is a great option if you are looking for an all-electric car. The Leaf has a range of up to 150 miles on a full charge and gets the equivalent of 126 mpg in the city and 101 mpg on the highway. The Leaf seats five passengers and starts at $29,990 after federal tax credits have been applied.

The Honda Clarity Fuel Cell is another great option for those looking for an earth-friendly car. The Clarity Fuel Cell is powered by hydrogen and emits nothing but water vapour from its tailpipe. The Clarity Fuel Cell has a range of up to 366 miles on a full tank of hydrogen and gets 68 mpg equivalent in the city and 67 mpg equivalent on the highway, according to EPA estimates. The starting price for the Honda Clarity Fuel Cell is $58,490 after applying for federal tax credits.

Finally, if you are looking for an earth-friendly SUV option, consider the Toyota RAV4 Prime, a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV). The RAV4 Prime has a range of up to 42 miles on electric power alone and gets 94 MPGe in the city and 90 MPGe on the highway, according to EPA estimates, when running in electric mode only. According to EPA estimates, the RAV4 Prime gets 40 mpg combined in gas mode. The RAV4 Prime starts at $38,100 after applying for federal tax credits.

Fuel efficiency

How important is fuel efficiency? It depends on your priorities. Fuel efficiency should be one of your top considerations if you’re looking for an inexpensive, practical vehicle that will save you money at the pump. If you’re more concerned with style or performance, then you might be willing to sacrifice some fuel economy.

The Honda Insight is a small, hybrid-electric vehicle that gets excellent gas mileage. It’s not the fastest car on the road, but it’s reliable and solidly built. It’s also very affordable, with a base price of just under $20,000.

If you’re looking for an earth-friendly car that won’t break the bank, the Honda Insight is a great choice.

Environmental impact

The greenhouse gases from a car don’t just disappear into the air. In fact, they have a profound and direct impact on the environment, public health, and our economy. More than half of the harmful emissions from a car come from its exhaust pipe. These emissions include:

Carbon dioxide (CO2) 

Nitrogen oxides (NOx) 

Hydrocarbons (HC) 

Particulate matter (PM or soot). 

CO2 is a “greenhouse gas” that traps heat in the Earth’s atmosphere and is the major contributor to global warming. HC and NOx react in the atmosphere to form ozone, a major smog component. PM is made up of tiny solid particles or liquid droplets that can get into your lungs and cause respiratory problems.

All five of these pollutants have serious impacts on public health, particularly ozone and particulate matter. Ozone can cause coughing, throat irritation, and chest pain; it can also worsen bronchitis, emphysema, and asthma. Particulate matter can cause coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath, heart attacks, and even premature death. These pollutants also damage crops, forests, and water resources.

The Ford Fusion Hybrid

The Ford Fusion Hybrid is a five-passenger midsize sedan that delivers an EPA-rated 41 mpg in combined driving. It’s one of the more affordable hybrids on the market, starting at $27,200. Standard features include LED headlights, keyless entry, and push-button start. The cabin is quiet and comfortable, and the ride is smooth.

Overview

The Ford Fusion Hybrid is a five-passenger midsize sedan that comes standard with keyless entry, push-button start, Sync voice-activated phone and audio interface, Bluetooth phone and audio connectivity, two USB ports, an auxiliary input jack, and a six-speaker sound system with a CD player and satellite radio.

The Ford Fusion Hybrid gets an EPA-estimated 41/36 mpg city/highway, which is one of the best fuel economies for a non-plug-in hybrid. The base price is $26,490, which is about the average for the class.

Fuel efficiency

The 2019 Ford Fusion Hybrid is one of the most fuel-efficient cars on the market, with a combined EPA estimate of 44 mpg. It’s also one of the most affordable hybrid vehicles, starting at just over $27,000. That makes it a great choice for eco-conscious buyers who are looking for a vehicle that won’t break the bank.

The Fusion Hybrid is not the only fuel-efficient car on the market. There are a number of other vehicles that offer great fuel economy at an affordable price. Here are five of our favourites:

1. Honda Insight – The Insight is Honda’s answer to the Toyota Prius. It’s a compact hybrid that gets up to 55 mpg in city driving and 49 mpg on the highway. It starts at just under $23,000, making it one of the most affordable hybrids on the market.
2. Toyota Camry Hybrid – The Camry is one of America’s best-selling cars, and its hybrid version is just as popular. It gets up to 51 mpg in city driving and 53 mpg on the highway. The Camry Hybrid starts at $28,745.
3. Hyundai Ioniq Electric – If you’re looking for an all-electric vehicle, the Ioniq Electric is a great option. It has a range of 124 miles and gets the equivalent of 136 mpg in city driving and 101 mpg on the highway. It starts at $30,335.
4. Nissan Leaf – The Leaf is another all-electric vehicle with a range of 150 miles (more if you opt for the higher-end model). It gets 124 mpg equivalent in city driving and 99 mpg equivalent on the highway. The Leaf starts at $29,990.
5. Chevrolet Bolt – The Bolt is GM’s answer to Tesla’s Model 3. It’s an all-electric vehicle with a range of 238 miles per charge (more if you opt for the higher-end model). It gets 119 mpg equivalent in city driving and 102 mpg equivalent on the highway (though these numbers will vary depending on how you drive). The Bolt starts at $36,620

Environmental impact

American consumers are becoming more interested in environmental responsibility, and that has led to an increase in the number of hybrid and electric vehicles on the market. Ford has been at the forefront of this trend with the release of several hybrid models, including the Fusion Hybrid.

The Ford Fusion Hybrid is a five-passenger sedan that gets an EPA-estimated 41 mpg in the city and 36 mpg on the highway.1 It’s powered by a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine and an electric motor that together produce 188 horsepower. The battery pack is located beneath the rear seats, so there’s no loss of trunk space.

The Fusion Hybrid comes standard with features like automated emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and a pre-collision assist system that can help you avoid or reduce the severity of a front-end collision. It also has an updated infotainment system with SYNC 3, Ford’s user-friendly interface that offers enhanced voice recognition and smartphone integration.

The Ford Fusion Hybrid should be at the top of your list if you’re looking for an inexpensive, earth-friendly vehicle.

The Chevrolet Volt

The Chevrolet Volt is a five-passenger plug-in hybrid hatchback that gets an EPA-estimated 106 MPGe in electric mode and 42 mpg combined when its gas engine kicks in. It has a 16.5-kWh lithium-ion battery pack that provides 53 miles of electric range. The Volt has a starting price of $33,220, which is on the high end for a compact car. But its long list of standard features and excellent safety scores make it a good value.

Overview

With the continued rise in fuel prices, many consumers are looking to purchase more fuel-efficient vehicles. The Chevrolet Volt is a five-door hatchback that gets an estimated 36 miles per gallon in the city and 40 mpg on the highway. The Volt also has a unique selling point – it can run on electric power alone for short commutes, meaning you could potentially save even more money on fuel costs.

Fuel efficiency

The Chevrolet Volt is a rechargeable plug-in hybrid electric car manufactured by General Motors, also sold as the Opel Ampera in Europe and Holden Volt in Australia. As of December 2016, cumulative sales totaled 157,196 Volts delivered since its 2010 launch. The U.S. is the leading Volt market with 153,323 units delivered through December 2016, followed by Canada with 3,421.

Month-to-month U.S. sales vary widely due to changes in inventory as well as consumer buying habits influenced by gasoline prices; for example, Volt sales increased sharply in the first half of 2012 when gas prices increased. Global cumulative Volt/Ampera family sales passed the 150,000 unit milestone in November 2016. Sales of the Volt/Ampera family cars ranked third among all plug-in electric cars sold worldwide through December 2016.

Environmental impact

Aside from the initial cost of purchasing an electric vehicle, there are very few disadvantages to ownership. Electric vehicles produce no emissions, so they have no negative impact on the environment. In fact, electric vehicles are often lauded as being one of the most earth-friendly transportation options available.

Electric vehicles also have a much lower total cost of ownership than gasoline-powered vehicles. When you factor in the cost of fuel, maintenance, and repairs, electric vehicles are often cheaper to operate than gas-powered cars. Electric vehicles also tend to require less maintenance than gas-powered cars, since there are no oil changes or tune-ups necessary.

The Tesla Model 3

The Tesla Model 3 is the most popular electric car on the market and for good reason. It has a range of up to 250 miles on a single charge, and it can go from 0 to 60 miles per hour in just 3.5 seconds. The Model 3 also has a 5-star safety rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Overview

The Tesla Model 3 is one of the most popular and inexpensive earth-friendly vehicles on the market. With a starting price of just $35,000, this car is affordable for many budget-conscious consumers who are looking to save money and help the environment.

The Model 3 gets an impressive EPA-estimated range of up to 310 miles per charge, making it one of the longest-range electric cars currently available. It also has a fast charging time of just over an hour, which is ideal for long road trips or commuting.

In terms of performance, the Model 3 can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in as little as 5.6 seconds, making it one of the quickest cars in its class. It also has a tight turning radius and good handling, making it fun to drive.

One of the best features of the Model 3 is its clean and modern interior design. The car has a large touchscreen display that controls all of its functions, and there are no buttons or knobs on the dash or centre console. The seats are comfortable and spacious, and there is plenty of room in the trunk for groceries or luggage.

Overall, the Tesla Model 3 is an excellent choice for budget-conscious consumers who are looking for an earth-friendly vehicle that is fun to drive and has a long range.

Fuel efficiency

What is the best way to help the environment and save money on gas? Invest in a fuel-efficient vehicle, of course! Here are five of the most inexpensive, earth-friendly cars on the market today.

1. The Tesla Model 3 is an all-electric car that gets an impressive EPA-rated range of up to 310 miles per charge. With a starting price of $35,000, this car is truly affordable for anyone looking to go green.

2. The Chevy Bolt is another great option for those wanting an electric car. It has a range of 238 miles per charge and a starting price of $37,495.

3. The Toyota Prius has long been one of the most popular hybrid cars on the market. It gets an EPA-estimated 54 mpg in the city and 50 mpg on the highway. The starting price for this vehicle is $24,685.

4. The Honda Civic Natural Gas is a great choice for those wanting to use an alternative fuel source. This car runs on compressed natural gas and gets an EPA-estimated 36 mpg in the city and 42 mpg on the highway. The starting price for this vehicle is $26,415.

5 . The Ford Fusion Hybrid is another excellent choice for anyone looking for a fuel-efficient car. It gets an EPA-estimated 41 mpg in the city and 36 mpg on the highway. The starting price for this vehicle is $27, 895.

Environmental impact

Electric cars are often lauded for their low emissions – but what about their whole life cycle? A Norwegian study found that, when comparing like-for-like, an electric car produced half the emissions of a petrol car over its entire life cycle. The study’s authors attributed this to the fact that most of Europe’s electricity comes from low-carbon sources such as hydropower, nuclear power, and renewables.

In the US, where the electricity mix is dirtier, electric cars still come out ahead. The Union of Concerned Scientists estimates that the Tesla Model 3 will produce about four metric tons of carbon dioxide over its lifetime. That’s less than half the emissions of the average new car sold in the US today.

Of course, electric cars aren’t perfect – they still require mining and manufacturing processes that have an environmental impact. And although they don’t produce tailpipe emissions, they do require energy to charge. But overall, electric cars are a much cleaner option than petrol or diesel vehicles.

Service Your Earth-Friendly Vehicle at Trail Tire

If you are looking for the right place to service your Hybrid or Electric Vehicle, look no further than Trail Tire Auto Centers. Our locations have exceptionally trained automotive service advisors and technicians who are ready to help you. Find your local Trail Tire today.