Hyundai IONIQ Electric Becomes ACEEE’s Greenest Vehicle In U.S.

Hyundai IONIQ Electric

The American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE) presents an annual Greenest list, along with an award for the Greenest vehicle. The Hyundai Ioniq Electric not only took home the award this year, but it is also the best scoring vehicle in the history of the ACEEE list. And it's a bargain in the electric car segment at 124 miles of all-electric range for just $29,500.

A Look Inside the Hyundai IONIQ Electric's cargo area

The scores are tabulated by combining a vehicle's tailpipe emissions, with the emissions resulting from the vehicle's manufacturing process, and factors related to how its fuel source(s) are produced and delivered. The overall figure is referred to as an Environmental Damage Index (EDX).

So, an all-electric car (ex. Tesla) may actually not always score as well, if its build causes excess pollution, and it requires a greater abundance of electricity, which is produced by sources that emit carbon. Likewise, a smaller, economical and fuel-efficient ICE vehicle (ex. Toyota Prius Eco or C) may score decent due to minimal manufacturing costs and less use of gas.

The IONIQ electric is a game changer, however, because it is the first "larger" vehicle to succeed in the last ten years, and did so well that it was the overall winner. Only compact and subcompact cars generally make the list. The BMW i3 (which is considered a compact car) was a close second to the Hyundai. In the 4 through 7 spots were the Fiat 500e, the Nissan LEAF, the Chevrolet Bolt, and the Kia Soul Electric, respectively. The Prius Prime came in 8th and the Ford Focus Electric, number 10.

A rare ACEE win for a "larger" vehicle – Hyundai IONIQ Electric interior

Surprisingly, this is only the second year that plug-in hybrid and battery-electric vehicles dominated the Greenest list. Eric Junga, transportation research analyst at ACEEE said:

Hyundai IONIQ Electric (in Marina Blue)

"For the second year in a row, plug-in electric vehicles—all-electrics and plug-in hybrids–dominate the Greenest List, proving that these vehicles are really coming into their own. Even the all-electrics are associated with significant emissions, however, arising from vehicle production and the electricity used for charging. It's notable that conventional hybrids continue to be environmentally competitive with the plug-ins, taking four of the Greenest slots."

Source: Hybrid Cars

Source: Hyundai IONIQ Electric Becomes ACEEE's Greenest Vehicle In U.S.