Last Decade has seen some great advancement in auto engineering. The environmental pollution and extreme natural disasters due to the weather changes have lead mechanical engineers and auto companies to design vehicles that are eco- friendly and give less emissions . The green cars are manufactured to use such energy sources as bio fuel, hydrogen fuel cells and hybrid electric motors which consume fewer resources and are not harmful for the environment. In the last ten years, auto industry has given has some wonderful green cars include hybrid electric vehicles, plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, hydrogen and fuel-cell vehicles, neat ethanol vehicles, flexible-fuel vehicles, natural gas vehicles and clean diesel vehicles.

We have compiled a list of environment- friendly vehicles that emerged in the auto world to set a new trend of green cars.

• Toyota Prius
• Honda Civic Hybrid
• Ford Escape Hybrid
• Camry Hybrid
• Nissan Altima Hybrid
• Chevrolet Tahoe
• Ford Fusion Hybrid
• BMW ActiveHybrid 7
• Honda Insight
• Porsche Cayenne Hybrid

1. Toyota Prius

Toyota Prius, the full hybrid electric mid-size hatchback made its appearance in front of the whole world in 2001. It has been rated as the cleanest vehicle by EPA and California Air Resources Board (CARB). Uptill three generations of this car have been introduced in auto markets. Prius V, 3rd Generation Prius and Prius Plug-in hybrid are the latest additions to the Prius Family. The “EV Mode” allows to run this vehicle in electric mode. It uses NiMH battery that gives low noise and less fuel consumption. The 1.8L 4-Cylinder` Hybrid engines is fuel efficient and its Sequential multi-point EFI System makes this vehicle Advanced Technology Partial Zero Emission Vehicle.

2. Honda Civic Hybrid

Honda Civic Hybrid is the green car that was introduced at the end of 2001. It runs on Integrated Motor Assist hybrid system and gives fastest acceleration with continuously variable automatic transmission or a 5-speed manual transmission. With the gas saving technology the new Honda Civic Hybrid gives an impressive mileage of 44 mpg on the highway. The unique feature is the Eco Assist. By pushing the ECON button you can let your vehicle to run in super-efficient mode.

3. Ford Escape Hybrid

This gasoline-electric hybrid vehicle with big bumpers, large grille, stylish headlights and focused taillights is not only sturdy but also fuel economic and safer for the environment. It was first unveiled in 2004. The new Escape Hybrid, features a 2.5 L I-4 Atkinson hybrid engine along with 330-volt sealed nickel-metal-hydride battery. It can switch automatically between three power i-e modes pure electric power, pure gasoline engine power, or it can work with fusion of electric battery and gasoline engine.

4. Camry Hybrid

Toyota’s Camry Hybrid was first debuted in 2006. This green car was soon popular all over the world and in August 2009, worldwide sales of the Camry Hybrid went to 8.3 percent. The car works on an all-electric mode, gasoline-only or both. The new Camry is capable of generating 200 hp with its hybrid system. Because of lesser emission it is rated as Ultra Low Emission Vehicle II.

5. Nissan Altima Hybrid

Nissan’s first hybrid car, Altima was launched in 2007 and uses the hybrid-drive system that is licensed from Toyota’s Technology. The new Altima is a 5-passenger midsize sedan is fuel efficient. With the 2.5L I4 engine it can give remarkable performance. Nissan Direct Ignition System with Continuously Variable Valve Timing Control System makes it environment friendly. It has also been given 5-star rating for side-impact crash safety and thus is more secure fore your family.

6. Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid

Unveiling its first hybrid model in 2007, Chevrolet Tahoe uses Two- mode hybrid system to run the vehicle. The hybrid system is an arrangement of its dual displacement 3.0 and 6.0-liter V8 engine and two 60 kW electric motors that power a 300-volt nickel-metal hydride battery. The new Tahoe hybrid is the most fuel economic vehicle giving an estimate EPA rating of 20 mpg in city and 23 mpg on highway. Chevy Carbon reduction technology is designed to cut down the total carbon dioxide emissions by up to 8 million metric tons, thus saving the resources and our planet.

7. Ford Fusion Hybrid

Ford also came up with its green vehicle, Ford Fusion Hybrid at the end of 2009. With the 2.5 litre engine, this green car can achieve 47 mph when running in EV mode. Ford hybrid technology is designed so that 94 percent energy recovery is achieved by first delivering full regenerative braking. Not only the hybrid system makes it greener for the environment but the interior is fashioned with eco-friendly cloth seating that makes it a perfect choice for your family.

8. BMW ActiveHybrid 7

First unveiled at the Paris Motor Show in October 2008, BMW ActiveHybrid 7 is the company’s first mild hybrid vehicle. It runs on the engine based on the High Precision Injection V8 Twin Turbo unit along with an electric motor. A 0.4 kWh lithium-ion battery pack is used in this vehicle. The hybrid system is fuel efficient and gives less carbon emissions thus enhancing the performance of the vehicle

9. Honda Insight

Powered by Integrated Motor Assist, Honda Insight is hybrid electric vehicle. First introduced in 2009 vehicle, this car is the most affordable hybrid available in the market. With the 1.3-liter, 8-valve, i-VTEC 4-cylinder engine, electric motor and Eco Assist feature, this car is safer for the environment.

10. Porsche Cayenne S Hybrid

Porsche Cayenne S Hybrid made its first appearance in the auto markets of U.S. in November 2010. It is engineered such that it uses an electric vacuum pump and hydraulic steering pump that can drive the vehicle even when the engine is deactivated. An 88-volt nickel metal hydride battery is used and Triptronic S transmission gives you a fuel efficient drive. An impressive mileage of 24 mpg is achieved.

So, protect your planet and choose a care that is not only safer for your family but also for the environment.