Recently, VietNamNet citing information from Carscoops reported that the GreenerCars ranking of the ACEEE (American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy) which evaluated and voted for the 5 most environmentally friendly cars in the world to date. This evaluation is based on various factors, such as annual fuel costs, environmental emissions, and other criteria. These cars are not only environmentally friendly but also “friendly” to the users’ wallets.
Topping this list is the Toyota Prius Prime SE plug-in hybrid (PHEV) model which has been on the market since March 2023 with a starting price of $32,975. According to ACEEE estimates, Prius Prime SE users only need to spend $529 on gasoline and electricity for a year, making it the most fuel-efficient car in the world market today. Currently, this model is not available in Vietnam.
Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVs) are hybrids that users can plug in to charge the electric battery. On the other hand, conventional Hybrid Electric Vehicles (HEVs) do not require the user to plug in.
The PHEV usually has a larger electric motor and battery pack, allowing it to run in full electric mode for a certain range, while the HEV can only operate in parallel with the gasoline engine.
Aside from the Toyota Prius Prime SE, other representatives that made it to the top 5 most fuel-efficient cars are Lexus RZ 300e, Mini Cooper SE, Nissan Leaf, and Toyota bZ4X.
Top 5 cars with the lowest fuel costs on the market in 2024. Data: Carscoops. Image created by Gemini, a Google AI tool.
There are several factors that contribute to the Toyota Prius Prime SE being considered the car with the lowest fuel consumption costs today.
Fuel Economy of PHEV Cars
This Toyota plug-in hybrid car uses a 2.0L gasoline engine and an electric motor with a total output of 220 horsepower, 188Nm of torque, and is equipped with a continuous variable transmission (eCVT) and a 13.6 kWh battery.
One of the most outstanding advantages of plug-in hybrid cars is fuel economy. Plug-in hybrid cars can operate on electric power alone for a short distance without using the gasoline engine, resulting in significant fuel savings. When the car is at idle (at a stoplight or in traffic congestion), both the gasoline engine and the electric motor automatically shut off, optimizing fuel consumption.
Toyota Prius Prime SE is the greenest car according to ACEEE’s criteria. Photo: MotorTrend
With a 13.6 kWh lithium-ion battery pack, the Toyota Prius Prime SE can drive up to 70 kilometers in full electric mode. According to Toyota’s official figures, this model has a fuel consumption rate of 5.4 liters of gasoline per 100 kilometers. The ability to operate on electric power minimizes the use of gasoline, particularly in urban areas.
In addition, the Toyota Prius Prime SE is also equipped with advanced energy-saving technologies, such as regenerative braking that converts kinetic energy into electrical power to recharge the battery pack, energy-saving automatic air conditioning that adjusts the temperature intelligently, reducing energy consumption, and an ECO driving mode that optimizes fuel efficiency.
