Filed under: Cars and Transportation

Not all green cars have hybrid engines and not all hybrid vehicles are necessarily green. In 2009, both diesel and electric vehicles began to redefine what a green car is and highlighted the differing paths available on the road to sustainable transportation. Each platform has its drawbacks; electric and hybrid vehicles use batteries that are great when they are in the car but when their lifetime comes to a close they become an environmental nightmare to dispose of; and while diesel engines have been able to approach fuel economies in the range of hybrids, they still emit more carbon dioxide and other heavy metals than electric and hybrid engines. A great green car must walk a tight line between balancing the environmental impact of the vehicle with the basic need to deliver a dependable and practical automobile.

2009 Volkswagen Jetta TDI
While Europeans never grew apart from diesel engines, in the American market they gained a reputation for being "dirtier" than gasoline powered cars. With "Clean Diesel" technology rapidly increasing fuel economy across the Atlantic, European manufacturers are betting that the United States can once again embrace diesel engines for more than just pickups. The 2009 Volkswagen Jetta TDI incorporates a clean Turbocharged Diesel engine, and in addition to offering hybrid-like fuel mileage (30 city/41 hwy), it provides something that hybrid cars often can not match - power. The Jetta TDI turns out 236lbs/ft of torque at modest RPM levels, providing much more thrust than you would expect from a "clean" engine. The Jetta TDI's "common rail" direct injection system reduces greenhouse emissions to just 0.67 pounds of carbon dioxide per mile.

2009 Toyota Prius
The pioneer in hybrid engine technology is still at the top of the pack when it comes combining innovative technology with unmatched fuel economy in a dependable and practical automobile. The 2009 Toyota Prius contains the "Hybrid Synergy Drive," which consists of a 1.5L four-cylinder engine and two electric motors - one devoted to providing front wheel power and the other for recharging the battery packs. Its average fuel economy of 46 mpg and low carbon emissions are joined with a variety of other perks like Bluetooth capability, an auxiliary audio jack for MP3 players and JBL speakers.

2009 Honda Civic Hybrid
The Honda Civic has been one of the top performers when it comes to fuel efficiency for years, making the popular model a natural fit for the hybrid class. Honda's Integrated Power Assist IMA engine works slightly differently than traditional hybrid engines from Toyota and Ford. Rather than switching solely to battery power the Honda electric motor provides additional power to the 1.3L 4-cylinder engine when its needed. This approach stretches the fuel supply (40 city/ 45 hwy mpg) and delivers 110hp at 6,000 rpm.

2009 Smart Fortwo
Being green is not just about fuel economy and hybrid engines, it's also about how the car interacts with its environment. So, when it comes to fitting into the crowded corridors of the urban environment, nothing matches the 2009 Smart Fortwo. The Eurostyle city cruiser can famously fit into parking space sideways (though that is illegal in many US municipalities) and its tiny 800cc can achieve up to 78 mpg. Though their minimalist approach to automotive design is well suited for urban travel, the Fortwo can be downright harrowing on a US Interstate.

2009 Tesla Roadster
When you discuss the Tesla Roadster one thing never enters the conversation -- miles per gallon -- because the 2009 Tesla Roadster's motor is completely electrically powered. Don't let the batteries fool you - it's no golf cart - it's able to go from 0-60 mph in just 3.9 seconds and can roam up to 244 miles on a single charge. With electricity as the engine's power source, "fuel" costs are as low as $0.01 a mile. With no combustion engine on board the Roadster is eerily silent except for a slight, jet-like whine produced by the electric motor. The Tesla Roadster is not one of the greatest green cars just because of what it is capable of now but because of how it is redefining what is possible in the future.

Best Green Cars of 2009 originally appeared on Green Daily on Wed, 03 Feb 2010 10:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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