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Ever since the launch of the hybrid Prius, Toyota green cars have been making headlines around the world, and to date the company has sold more than 5 million hybrid units. Toyota Motor Corporation stands as the world’s leading producer of environmentally-friendly cars, according to a study done by BusinessCar (UK) and a report by Internet Brands’ “Best Global Green Brands.” BusinessCar BusinessCar’s criteria included the number of environmentally-friendly models offered, the average carbon dioxide emissions, and vehicle performance according to Europe’s emission regulations. According to BusinessCar’s data, there are seven Toyota models that have been tested to emit less than 100 g/km carbon dioxide emissions: the Aygo, the iQ, the Prius, Prius+, Auris Hybrid, Yaris Hybrid, and Prius Plug-in. The performance of these models garnered for the company an overall score of 82, achieving the highest results in four out of ten criteria. Toyota has hit a grand slam, claiming the top spot for the fifth time in six years. The impressive number of hybrid cars sold translates to 34 million tons of carbon dioxide not emitted into the atmosphere, and 3 billion gallons of gas saved at the pump. Best Global Green Brands According to this report, the top three automakers with the best of the best green initiatives are Toyota, Ford, and Honda. The ranking done by Internet Brands for this report depends on 1) the existing variance between a company’s environmental initiatives and 2) how consumers perceive those initiatives. A hundred companies we listed, and then whittled down according to the criteria. Half of that number made it to the “green list.” Of that number, half are auto manufacturers. Trailing behind Toyota’s green cars is Nissan at fifth place and Volkswagen at seventh. The Hybrid Synergy Drive Toyota’s hybrids all have the Hybrid Synergy Drive, which is composed of a traditional gasoline engine, an electric motor, and a specialized hybrid battery. The car switches from the gasoline engine to the electric motor depending on the needed use: at slow speeds or during idle, the electric motor steps in, cutting don emissions and saving gas. The gasoline engine will only be used when necessary. New Hybrids There is an extensive lineup of Toyota’s green cars. Aside from the ever-popular Prius and its variants, the company has also come up with hybrid versions of some of their much-loved models: the Camry, Avalon, Auris, Yaris, and the Highlander. They have also developed an electric version of the RAV4, called the RAV4 EV. The Camry Hybrid gets 39 miles on a single gallon of gas and emits 70% less smog-forming emissions compared to a non-hybrid new car. The Highlander Hybrid may be an SUV, but because of its Hybrid Synergy Drive, it doesn’t guzzle up as much fuel as other SUVs with conventional engines. It gets a mileage rating of 28 mpg in the city and on the highway. The Avalon Hybrid is available in three trims and gets up to 40 mpg. The smallest of Toyota’s green cars, the Yaris Hybrid features a smaller and lighter version of the Hybrid Synergy Drive to fit in its compact frame. So you see, there’s a hybrid for everybody! Which one will you choose?
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