If you’re in the market for a new car, now is the perfect time to go green. With car manufacturers paying more attention to making more fuel-efficient cars, you are no longer limited to one or two models and a few colors.
Greener cars are not only better for the environment they are also friendlier on your wallet. Unfortunately, compared to the rest of the world, the U.S. is still significantly behind when it comes to fuel efficiency. U.S. cars, minivans and SUVs have an average of 22.6 mpg versus 40.3 mpg in Europe and 40.6 mpg in Japan.
But America is taking steps to become more green. Recently, the Department of Transportation, under President Obama, set the bar higher by requiring automakers to achieve an average 30.2 mpg for passenger cars and 24.1 mpg for light trucks and SUV by 2011.
Unfortunately, most highly fuel-efficient cars (over 40 mpg) are sold outside the U.S. and unavailable to American consumers, even though most of these models are made by U.S. auto manufacturers or foreign manufacturers with substantial U.S. sales.
But if you’re ready to go green, you still have a few options. Here are four cars that get over 40 mpg:
1. Chevrolet Volt
According to Chevrolet, the Volt will go up to 40 miles without using any gasoline. The Volt will launch in November 2010.
2. Toyota Prius
As one of the first hybrids available to the U.S., the Toyota Prius owns a significant share of the hybrid market. In 2007, the Prius was the bestselling hybrid with almost 51 percent of the market. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the 2010 Prius at 48 mpg highway and 51 mpg city.
3. Honda Civic Hybrid
The 2010 Honda Civic gets an estimated 40 mpg city and 45 mpg highway. Like the Prius, the Civic has an electric motor that works with the gasoline engine.
4. Ford Fusion Hybrid
The 2010 Ford Fusion was Motor Trend’s Car of the year in 2010 and the hybrid model gets an estimated 41 mpg city.
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