News: ACEEE Picks 10 Greenest Cars

Electrified Cars Sweep Field in Overall Rankings

Every year the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE) picks the “greenest” vehicles on the market. The group’s list, released last week, did not include a single vehicle from the Detroit Three automakers (General Motors, Ford and Fiat Chrysler Automobiles) and also consisted solely of electrified vehicles. Topping the list was the Hyundai Ioniq Electric. It was joined by six other full electrics and three hybrids.

Used hybrids, plug-in hybrids, EVs — **The Kia Soul EV’s on the ACEEE list**

The ACEEE also took another look at energy efficiency that probably makes more sense in the real world, since the cumulative sales of the 10 Greenest Cars barely registers compared to the current best-sellers. In this list they listed the greenest cars in each of six categories. This list had more variety to it, encompassing a variety of powertrains. Only one of the Top 10 green cars was on the second list, a reflection of the narrow range of electrified vehicles available and also some of the inherent biases of the ACEEE scoring system.

ACEEE scored the cars based on the whole environmental impact of a vehicle, including air pollution associated with vehicle manufacturing, the production and distribution of fuel or electricity and vehicle tailpipe.

Taken together, these two list frame the work we do here at Clean Fleet Report, giving readers more detail on what it’s like to live with the greenest cars in every category. Here are the lists with links to road tests we have done and news stories on the vehicles:

Top 10 Green Cars

The Honda Insight was the only car to make both of ACEEE’s lists

Hyundai Ioniq Electric
Hyundai Ioniq Blue
BMW i3
Honda Clarity Electric
Kia Soul Electric
Nissan Leaf
Honda Insight
Hyundai Kona Electric
Volkswagen e-Golf
Toyota Camry Hybrid

Top Green Cars in Each Class

Subcompact car Chevrolet Spark

Compact car Toyota Prius c

Midsize car Honda Insight

Large car Honda Civic Five-Door

Small wagon Kia Niro

Medium wagon Volvo V90

Small SUV Toyota RAV4

Medium SUV Nissan Rogue Hybrid

Large SUV GMC Acadia

Ford F-150 EV — **Ford offers the most environmentally friendly truck, according to ACEEE**

Minivan Chrysler Pacifica

Pickup Ford F-150

Two-seater Mazda MX-5

This should help you expand your shopping list. Incidentally, ACEEE also published its 10 Meanest list of vehicles at the other end of the environmental scale. We’re proud to say Clean Fleet Report has stayed away from all of them. You can see how much time we’ve spent in the top green cars.

Related Stories You Might Enjoy—Some of Our Top ~10 Lists

Top 10 Electric Cars

AWD Cars with the Best MPG

Top 10 Best MPG AWD SUVs/Crossovers

Road Test: 2017 Hyundai Ioniq Electric

Road Test: 2017 Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid

Road Test: 2017 BMW i3

Flash Drive: 2017 Honda Clarity Electric

Road Test: 2016 Kia Soul EV

Road Test: 2018 Nissan Leaf

Road Test: 2019 Honda Insight

News: 2019 Hyundai Kona Crossover Goes Electric