Green cars are not typically seen as an alluring purchase for the car buyer. They are not overtly glamourised in the press as an extension of a person’s ego or as something that will take the driver on new adventures up a mountain. The green car is seen more as a necessity in saving the planet or as an extension of a person’s green credentials. Of course, when baby boomers were young the idea of owning an electric car or a car powered by Hydrogen fuel would have seemed like something out of a science fiction novel. It’s funny how in the 1970’s, the thought that an electric or hybrid vehicle would become part of the mass car market was nonsensical, and now it’s a reality and the green car has become the status symbol of the urban hippie.

New York’s Fleet of Electric Taxis in 1897

Would you even consider that in 1987 car hire usa stateside could be green?

Petrol driven cars are seen as sexy and dangerous, depicted in films like the classic ‘Bullitt’ and the boy racer franchise ‘The Fast and the Furious 1,2,3,4 & 5’.

The funny thing is that electric vehicles actually predated their petrol headed cousins. After the decline of the horse and cart, the first electric cars were born to replace them and were popping up in Europe as far back as 1832. The very first electric cars were horribly crude, more like giant open boxes on wheels, but they began to build in popularity in Europe over the next few years and were seen as a main form of transportation for more affluent citizens. It wasn’t until the 1890’s that America jumped on the electrical band wagon and AL Ryker and William Morrison began to build their reputable models across America. However, the style of the cars still had that horse and cart feel to them.

Typical form of transport in the 1800’s

The style did not really stretch beyond boxy in 1970’s with the high sided square Zagato Zele electric cars.

Jumping forward to 2011, how much has the environmentally friendly hybrid and electric car changed? Well for one, the speeds have been much improved. The Tesla Roadster Sport can reach speeds of 102.89 mph in 12.643 seconds. The other worthy features are the use of the technology. Not only full electric cars powered by batteries but shared battery and fuel powered sources as well as hydrogen fuelled cars and a mix of the fuel cell and a lithium battery as used in Ford Airstreams.

But let’s get to what we want to talk about – how sexy are green cars in 2011? Well, there has always been a stab of sexy design and 100’s of concepts through the years. But this list shows you what is actually being created and the types of green vehicles out there.They won’t make a statement about how “right on you are or how much you care about the planet, but will instead make you look like a rich, vibrant in speed monster and…..sexy.

1. Telsa Roadster – £106,901

This electric roadster by Telsa has been talked about for the past year or so ever since the first photos of the car were released. Those more interested in the performance of a car of course would be impressed by its statistics; ie it has a carbon fibre frame, making the car much lighter and therefore requiring less power to reach those top speeds. It gets 0 to 60 mph in around 4 seconds and reaches a top speed of 125 mph.

 2. Venturi Fetish – $465,000

This beautiful car has the look of a concept car but it is actually moved from being a mere concept at the 2002 Geneva Motor Show to an on the road car. Top speed is less than the Telsa at 100 mph, the power is delivered by a lithium ion battery pack that gives 1 hour of charge and an extra 2 hours thanks to the on board charger.

3. Morgan – Concept begins testing 2012

Even if this is a concept, there is no denying that it is so beautiful and it is soon to be put into manufacture with electric engine technology company Zytek. The operations director of Morgan described it as “zero-emissions with near super car performance”. This is like something you’d expect a modern Sherlock Holmes driving – it’s slick, it’s got that typical classic Morgan look and it’s British.

3. Audi-E-Tron-Spyder – Audi still not releasing date or costs

Looking like something out of Judge Dredd this plug-in hybrid Audi is a force to be reckoned with. The back wheels are powered by a massive V6 diesel engine and the front by two electric motors producing 64kW. It is also said to hit speeds of 155 mph, making for a fast and hulking green machine.

5. Electric-Peugeot-ex1 –  release date 2015

This car has been described as having an evil Maserati-looking front grille. This full electric car is said to go from 0-60mph in 3.58 seconds, faster even than the Tesla if that’s true. The car is also said to reach a top speed of 160mph, has a 30kWh lithium-Ion battery and promises that the charge could get the driver 280 miles on one charge.

6. 918-spyder-hybrid – $845,000

For any die hard Porsche fans out there, this eco car will not let you down. The Spyder will go from 0-62mph in 3.2 seconds beating both the Tesla and Peugeot and it has a whopping top speed of 198mph. Add to this its 8 cylinder engine that delivers 500 horsepower and a lithium-ion battery powering all four wheels, this is an all wheel drive hybrid. The upside of this car is that it can be charged from a standard electricity socket.

7. GM Volt – $40,280

The GM Volt is a “range-extended” electric car and is scheduled for 2011. It should be able to drive 40 miles in all-electric mode before a gas engine kicks in to recharge the batteries. More information and photos about the Volt can be found here.

8. Lightning GT – £120,000

This is another British electric sports car in the mix. The Lighting GT with its carbon fibre body can go from 0-60 in less than 5 seconds. Yes, this is slower than some we have mentioned, but superb for an all electric car. It boasts that the car takes only 10 minutes to recharge so long as the charge is available. Pretty impressive.

9. Fisker Karma – $95,90

Much like the GM Volt, the Karma has an extended all-electric range of 50 miles, upon which the gas engine starts to recharge the batteries. It is described as a plug-in hybrid sports sedan and is beautifully designed with a solar roof that not only recharges the car but controls the cabin’s climate. It features a top speed of 125 mph and for those who are serious about its eco credentials the wood interiors are all salvaged timber.

10. Jaguar C-X75 – will go on sale 2013 –  £700,000 and £900,000

This one had to make an appearance. Most Brits are rather fond of the good old Jag and if anything can prove that green is sexy it’s the C-X75. The beautiful C-X75 has four electric motors – one on each wheel making the car a four-wheel drive. This power will propel the car from 0-60 in less than 3 seconds which means you’ll have saved the planet even before you’ve left to get your shopping. I thought I would add a few more up close and personal photos of the car that make you feel as if you have just been dipped into warm melted metal and chocolate all at once.

 

Related articles

• 2010 Ford Fusion makes Kelley’s Ratings (gogogreencars.com)
• The Bugatti 57 Series – Most Popular Bugatti Car Ever (frommyexperience.com)
• Best Car Care Tips Websites (verybestsites.com)