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1. Toyota Prius – It was the first mass-produced hybrid on the market and thus became the de facto standard. It’s certainly a fair price, but will its boring looks and appliance-like feel turn off the average American driver (a very emotional bunch about what they drive) and turn it toward one of its contemporary competitors? push? Finally, a solid and reliable car heading into its third generation in 2010 that should drive sales even further. The Japanese are known for their reliability and battery improvements and the production should reduce costs and increase mileage. City: 48, Highway: 45, MSRP: $22,000 Base Price
2. Honda Clarity FCX: Shortly after Toyota released its Prius, Honda moved forward with its Insight project, which was released in 2000 and remained in production until 2006. However, some believe that although gas-electric hybrids are all well and good, the true future of electric cars lies with the use of hydrogen and electrolysis to create a purely electric car with zero emissions. Sure, hydrogen fueling stations are few and far between, but from the picture, you can tell the Clarity FCX is targeting a higher echelon individual. Mass-produced FCXs may be ready by 2012, but you can lease one now if you live in California (where hydrogen stations are available). This is a car for true eco-heads with a complete absence of any greenhouse gases, something that not even the Prius can claim. City/Highway: 68 mpg (equivalent), 280 mi range, $600 per month lease.
3. Chevrolet Volt: Marketed as the next big thing in commuter cars, the Volt aims to create a compact plug-in hybrid that should be able to get you to work and back home on a single charge and not need to use any gas. is not needed. With an expected range of 40 miles, should you want to go beyond that, there’s a small gasoline generator to power the car until you reach your destination. GM has invested a lot of money in marketing the Volt as the next big thing and using it to create special tax credits for cars that get 100MPG+. While the concept cars shown by GM are certainly edgy, a full production version (scheduled for a possible release in 2010), we’ll see what the actual Volt looks like. City/Highway: 50MPG (no battery), 150MPG (with battery), 100MPG (average equivalent), MRSP: $30,000+.
4. Tesla Roadster: Based on the Lotus Elise, Tesla wanted “car guys” to be the first electric car. Promising usable range (over 245 miles), awesome acceleration (under 4 seconds to 60MPH) and a super sexy chassis based on 15+ years of development on the road and race track, Tesla owns an electric car Is. While the little roadster isn’t the most practical car here, it’s certainly the one that involves the most user input to drive. This is one you’ll want to take to the local track or autocross. It’s the first car to break the stigma associated with driving a “green” car, and that’s why it’s included on our list. Will it be up to you? City/Highway: 105MPG (equivalent), MSRP: $98,000.
5. Fischer Karma: Built by world-renowned car designer Henrik Fisker, designer of the Astin Martin DB9, Astin Martin V8 Vantage and BMW V8, the Fisker Karma is the car you buy as the president of your eco-friendly business. You’ll need the 4-door to fit your customers, but you won’t have to waste gas to protect your image. The Karma is another plug-in hybrid that uses solar cells on the roof as well as a small gas generator to push your car beyond 50 miles of electric-only range (similar to the Volt). However, whereas most other manufacturers design their cars to be sold to the average consumer, Fisker is for more refined tastes. The long, sleek body, premium interiors and well-healed make this car the Mercedes S-Class of hybrid cars (although Mercedes is currently working on its own Hybrid S). With Fisker Karma, you’re not only saving the environment, you’re looking like a million bucks while doing it. City/Highway: 150MPG (equivalent), MSRP: $80,000.
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