News: Dozen Greenest Cars of 2020 Named

ACEEE Organization Picks Mix of EVs & Hybrids

The ACEEE (American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy) uses its own methodology to determine the most environmentally friendly cars offered for sale. This year they picked 12 top candidates, including the expected electric cars (EVs), but also a variety of gasoline-electric hybrids, topped by the Toyota Prius Prime plug-in hybrid.

Not surprising, Clean Fleet Report has road tested all but the just-released Mini Cooper electric (although we have been in the plug-in hybrid version). We agree these are fine candidates, although we might rearrange the order based on our preferences, which you’ll see in our reviews.

ACEEE’s criteria, developed and refined over the 23 years they’ve been handing out these awards, is based on an environmental damage index rather than time behind the wheel. Their system reflects the cost to human health from air pollution associated with vehicle manufacturing, the production and distribution of fuel or electricity, and from the tailpipe (of cars with tailpipes).  This year they ran the numbers on 1,100-plus different 2020 models. The organization noted that modern cars are “producing more of the most technologically advanced and fuel-efficient vehicle ever offered.”

The Top 12 Green cars (with links to our tests) are:

1. Toyota Prius Prime plug-in hybrid
2. Hyundai Ioniq Blue hybrid
3. Toyota Prius Eco hybrid
4. Hyundai Ioniq Electric EV
5. Honda Insight hybrid
6. BMW i3 EV
7. Mini Cooper SE EV
8. Toyota Corolla Hybrid
9. Toyota Camry Hybrid
10. Kia Niro Plug-in Hybrid
11. Honda Clarity Plug-in Hybrid
12. Kia Niro FE hybrid

ACEEE has another green car list that may be even more valuable. Called the Greener Choices, it rates to best choices in each category of vehicle, noting that many categories don’t offer EVs or even hybrid options. That list of “practical options” also has some of our favorites, but does something I don’t agree with—it does not include plug-in hybrids or battery EVs because of the “limited availability” of charging stations. I think that’s lame excuse to leave out some of the great models that showed up in the Green Car list. It’s also curious that they left off full-size pickups from their list as the fuel-efficient models in that category have been increasing during the past couple years as we noted in a recent test. Here’s the organization’s Top 12 by category with links to our road tests:

1. Chevrolet Spark – Subcompact Car
2. Mitsubishi Mirage – Compact Car
3. Honda Accord Hybrid – Midsize Car
4. Chrysler 300 – Large Car
5. Kia Niro Touring – Small Wagon
6. Volvo V90 – Medium Wagon
7. Chrysler Pacifica – Minivan
8. Toyota RAV4 Hybrid – Compact SUV
9. Ford Escape Hybrid – Midsize SUV
10. GMC Acadia – Large SUV
11. Mazda MX-5 – Two-seater
12. Ford Ranger – Midsize Pickup

The other good news is the options on both lists will be growing this year and we expect the list will see some changes in January 2021.

The organization also has a Meanest List, although that list is just the usual suspects of high-horsepower and/or large, inefficient vehicles like the Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk with a 707 horsepower supercharged V8 or the big Lexus LX 570 with 12 mpg in city driving and only 16 on the highway.

What do you think of the ACEEE list? Is your favorite on or not on the list?