Mitsubishi i-MiEV
- Mpge: 126 city/99 highway
The i-MiEV was voted "The Greenest Vehicle of 2012" by the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy. This four-passenger, all-electric car is available in two models, with the lowest level ES starting at $29,125. After a federal tax credit of $7,500, the price moves down to $21,625, making it one of the least expensive cars on this list of energy-efficient cars.
Getting an EPA-rated 112 miles-per-gallon equivalent, or mpge, the gas-free i-MiEV is run off of a 49-kilowatt electric motor. The power comes from a 330-volt, 16-kilowatt-hour, lithium-ion battery system, which pumps out 66 horsepower. You'll top out at a speed of 81 mph.
Mitsubishi says it takes 22.5 hours to get a full charge out of the standard 120-volt trickle charger. If you pick up the optional 240-volt charger, you'll get a full battery charge in seven hours. The commercial charger only takes 30 minutes, but you'll need to buy package options in order to get that feature.
The EPA estimates an annual "fuel" cost of $550 to charge up this vehicle and says you'll go 62 miles on a full charge in typical driving conditions.