Fully electric cars emit 0 g/mi tailpipe CO2.
Below values include U.S. average grid lifetime CO2.
Tesla Model 3
- Energy use: 25 kWh per 100 miles
- CO2: about 90 g/mi (lifetime, U.S. grid average)
- Reason: Highly efficient motors and low drag
Hyundai Ioniq Electric
- Energy use: 21 kWh per 100 miles
- CO2: about 75 g/mi
- One of the most efficient EVs ever sold
Chevrolet Bolt EV
- Energy use: 28 kWh per 100 miles
- CO2: about 100 g/mi
- Affordable and efficient for daily driving
Nissan Leaf
- Energy use: 30 kWh per 100 miles
- CO2: about 110 g/mi
- Compact size reduces manufacturing footprint
Best plug in hybrids for low environmental impact
Plug in hybrids can operate almost CO2 free if charged daily. CO2 values below assume 50 percent electric driving.
Toyota Prius Prime
- Tailpipe CO2: 26 g/mi (in hybrid mode)
- Combined CO2 with electric use: ~100 g/mi
- Very low emissions even without full charging
Hyundai Ioniq Plug In
- Tailpipe CO2: 26 to 30 g/mi
- Combined CO2: ~95 g/mi
- Strong EV efficiency lowers lifetime output
Ford Escape Plug In Hybrid
- Tailpipe CO2: 40 to 50 g/mi
- Combined CO2: ~140 g/mi
- Larger size means higher emissions, but still far below gasoline SUVs
Best gasoline cars with low environmental impact
These gasoline and hybrid models have low CO2 output thanks to efficient engines and low vehicle weight.
Toyota Corolla Hybrid
- Tailpipe CO2: about 90 g/mi
- One of the cleanest gasoline powered cars sold today
Honda Civic
- Tailpipe CO2: 220 to 250 g/mi depending on engine
- Very efficient compared to other compact sedans
Mazda 3
- Tailpipe CO2: 230 to 260 g/mi
- Skyactiv engines reduce fuel burn without hybrid systems
Why EV battery size matters
Smaller battery EVs like the Nissan Leaf or Hyundai Ioniq Electric produce far less manufacturing CO2 than long range luxury EVs.
Large 90 to 100 kWh battery packs can add 5 to 10 tons of production CO2 before the car is driven a single mile.
If your driving is mostly short trips, a small battery EV has the lowest total footprint.
How to choose the cleanest car
Look for cars with:
- High miles per kWh or high mpg
- Low lifetime CO2 per mile
- Smaller battery if you do not need long range
- Long warranty and high reliability
- Efficient aerodynamics
- Proven low maintenance emissions
Driving habits can reduce emissions even further. Smooth driving and daily charging for plug in hybrids lower CO2 significantly.
