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Which are the most fuel-efficient hybrid and/or all-electric cars available to consumers today (just the affordable ones, please!)?
— Jack Madison, Chicago, IL
Given increased environmental awareness, high gas prices and a continually slumping economy, itās no wonder that more fuel efficient cars are all the rage these days. The best deal going may be Hondaās hybrid, the 42 miles-per-gallon (MPG) Insight ($18,350). Meanwhile, the newest version of Toyotaās flagship hybrid, the Prius ($23,015), garners an impressive 50 MPG. Other solid choices include Toyotaās 41-MPG Camry hybrid ($25,900), Fordās 39-MPG Fusion hybrid ($28,700), Lexusā 42-MPG CT 200h ($29,120) and Lincolnās 39-MPG MKZ Hybrid ($34,755).
For even greater efficiency and lower sticker prices, consider going electric, whereby you can charge your vehicle at ordinary electric outlets at home or work. Mitsubishiās new MiEV ($29,125) electric is the most fuel efficient car available to U.S. consumers in the 2012 model year, achieving 112 āMPG-equivalentā (the U.S. Environment Protection Agencyās rating for electric vehicles that swaps in electricity for gas in its calculations) and a 62 mile range per full chargeānot bad considering four adults can fit fairly comfortably inside. Another option is Smartās FourTwo Electric ($28,752), a two-seater with an 87 MPG-equivalent. And Nissanās all-electric Leaf ($35,200) achieves 99 MPG efficiency for a range up to 100 miles.
So-called āplug-inā hybrids also allow drivers to charge their vehiclesā electric batteries via common power outlets, but also can use gasoline as needed for a longer range. Though pricey at $39,145, the Chevy Volt may save you money in the long run because it gets a whopping 94 MPG-equivalent in its preferred all-electric mode. An onboard gas generator produces more electricity as the vehicle is driven, extending the carās range with a full tank of gas to some 375 miles. Toyota released a plug-in version of its Prius ($32,760) this year, as well. It gets 87 MPG in electric mode (but this will only get you 15 miles without gas assistance) and a respectable 49 MPG in regular hybrid mode.
Another factor to consider when deciding which of these new uber-efficient vehicles may be right for you is the availability of additional incentives. Buyers of a new Volt, MiEV, FourTwo Electric or Leaf, for example, can cash in on a federal tax credit of $7,500āand some states may offer additional incentivesābringing the overall cost of these cars down to within the range of similarly sized traditional car models. The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) posts all of the relevant federal tax incentives online at its Fuel Efficient Vehicle Tax Information Center website. For state-by-state incentives, check out the Database of State Incentives for Renewable Energy (DSIRE), a free online resources maintained by the North Carolina Solar Center and the Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC).
Of course, consumers donāt have to go hybrid or electric to enjoy improved fuel efficiency these days. Scionās iQ ($15,265) and Hondaās CR-Z ($19,545) each get 37 MPG out of sporty little gas-powered internal combustion engines. Kia, Toyota, Chevrolet, Hyundia and Nissan also make smaller traditional cars that get a respectable 33-34 MPG for sticker prices under $15,000.
CONTACTS: DOEās Fuel Efficient Vehicle Tax Information Center, www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/taxcenter.shtml; DSIRE, www.dsireusa.org; Edmundsā āDecoding Electric Car MPG,ā www.edmunds.com/fuel-economy/decoding-electric-car-mpg.html.
EarthTalkĀ® is written and edited by Roddy Scheer and Doug Moss and is a registered trademark of E – The Environmental Magazine (www.emagazine.com). Send questions to: earthtalk@emagazine.com. Subscribe: www.emagazine.com/subscribe. Free Trial Issue: www.emagazine.com/trial.