Many agree that the year 2016 was a good one for the green car market. This is evident with the number of significant new models that were released for that year. It has also moved the entire game further. And the good news to this is that for this year, those that are involved in this game are going to move and continue on with this trend. This is because manufacturers are always looking for different ways in reducing the emissions and at the same time provide their customers with more green options in transportation.
As of late, there is a lot of focus on the plug-in models sprouting in the market, while the new fuel cell hybrid car is set to reach the shores of UK by this year as well. After the PHEV that came in a storm in the market, it seems that there are no signs of it going down for this year since more manufacturers are committing themselves to creating new plug-in models.
The pure electric models are not forgotten, though. There are new models coming out in the next 12 months. These cars come with more efficient and newer engines. Some of these include the BMW 5 Series, Volkswagen Golf, Alfa Romeo Giulia, Citroen C3 and Ford’s Fiesta. Each of these cars come with a potential to turn out as one of the best seller in this class. The competition between manufacturers wherein they improve the fuel economy and driving down emissions has proven it to be widely benefiting the new customers.
Here is a list of the top green cars that you should watch out for this year.
Volkswagen e-Golf and Golf GTE
This is considered as the best selling car in the Golf range, which is also set to be updated for this year. There will be changes to all the models in this range, including Golf GTE and e-Golf. All the models in range will have the tweaked styling, upgraded equipment for safety, upgraded digital instrument cluster, and enhanced infotainment systems. The Golf GTE will maintain its already existing powertrain, meaning that you will still see the same 1.4 TSI petrol and electric motor blended together thus producing 201bhp, 39 g/km CO2, 166mpg and electric range measuring 31 miles.
The e-Golf however, will come with an enhanced battery pack, thus boosting up the range by almost 50 percent. Its new quoted range is measured at 186 miles, which turns the e-Golf to a speed like that of the BMW i3 and Hyundai Ioniq Electric. Power has been upgraded too, although there is no detriment to the energy consumption figures of this model.
Smart ED range
Smart will be offering their all electric model each with its line-up. Expect a fortwo carbio ed, fortwo ed and the forfour ed that will be due September this year. The runabouts in this urban series will come with a short electric range, yet to consider that they are made for small trips in the build up places, this should not be expected that it will loosen its appeal.
The car features a 17.6 kWh battery, the 3 Smart car models will also be able to cover between 96 to 99 miles on single charge, plus a number of personalization options, smartphone app and Brabus styling kits, among others.
Kia Niro Plug-In Hybrid
The only sector that has not featured a single plug-in models last Next Green Car Awards was the crossover market. The reason was that there were not on sale – not even a single model for it. Now, Kia has joined the fray with the Mini Countryman, offering the plug-in hybrid variant of their Niro.
The details of the powertrain are not released yet, though some rumors say that they still use the same set up that is present in the Hyundai Ioniq Plug-in. Some say it is to be expected since both brands are part of one company. This means that you should expect the car to possess a 1.6 petrol engine plus an electric motor that is able to produce more than 30 miles electric range taken from the 8.9 kWh battery.
Mini Countryman E
BMW in the recent times have gradually been rolling out their most significant electric vehicle style in a very timely manner. There are more to be expected this year, including this Mini one, too. The next gen Countryman will utilize a 3 cylinder 1.5L petrol engine with electric motor that produces a combined 224 horsepower and 385 Nm torque.
These all will officially contribute to the economy figures displaying 49 g/km CO2, 134.5mpg and electric range figure of up to 25 miles. It also comes with advanced driving modes like the Save Battery and Auto eDrive. These will help get the drivers most of their 7.6 kWh battery pack, which was already delivered back in February.
Toyota Prius Plug-In
This new Prius comes in the market with a big step into the hybrid powertrains. This year, Toyota is going to bring out their plug-in hybrid variant and will join the race based on the same stiffer and lighter platform that is already found in the C-HR and Prius hybrids, its Prius Plug-In will be displayed with an all-electric range displaying figures over 30 miles, emitting only 22 g/km CO2 and a return of 282.5mpg.
It has a solar roof that will aid in lessening the load on the 8.8 kWh battery of the car, while the Prius Plug-In will also take the advantage of the recent hybrid set-up from Prius. This also includes the most efficient production engine.
Hyundai Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid
With the above being introduced, Hyundai Ioniq also comes into the scene, with the Hybrid and Electric variants already available in the market. The PHEV variant will become available this year. It will possess a 45 kW electric motor and 1.6 Kappa GDI petrol engine that produces CO2 emissions below 32 g/km. This is all thanks to the 8.9 kWh lithium-ion battery.
This will offer over 31 miles worth electric range only, while the PHEV variant shares the rest of the features of the Ioniq range, like the infotainment equipment and high degrees of security.
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