Electric vehicles and hybrids dominated the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy’s GreenerCars ratings for 2024, according to a Feb. 28 press release.
Among the 12 highest-scoring vehicles, seven are EVs, two are plug-in hybrids, and four are conventional hybrids. No internal-combustion-engine cars made the list.
Hyundai Motor Group, including the Hyundai and Kia brands, and Toyota Motor Corp., including the Lexus and Toyota brands, produce 10 of the 12 most environmentally-friendly cars in the U.S.
In addition, more than half of the ACEEE’s “greenest” vehicles have an MSRP below $35,000.
“It’s important for automakers to keep expanding affordable EV options rapidly so that the benefits of EVs are available to drivers across a wider spectrum of incomes as we transition away from cars that burn gasoline,” said Peter Huether, ACEEE’s senior transportation research associate and lead researcher for the GreenerCars rankings, in a statement. “For drivers whose needs are not met by today’s charging infrastructure, many efficient and affordable hybrid options are available.”
ACEEE scored over 1,200 models. The report evaluated automakers’ reported fuel economy and emissions for each model. It also estimated the health costs associated with air pollution from vehicle manufacturing and disposal, fuel or electricity production and distribution, and tailpipe emissions.
