As environmental issues become more urgent, the best car manufacturers are ramping up their efforts to manufacture sustainable vehicles without sacrificing style, performance or luxury.
However, these green cars demonstrate that sustainability and cutting-edge technology are not mutually exclusive. Here’s a closer look at some of the electrifyingly innovative electric cars from the biggest manufacturers and how their prices, performances and sustainability features differ.
Hyundai Ioniq 5
Price: Starting at $41,245
Performance:
Range: Up to 303 miles on a single charge
0-60 mph: 5.2 sec (Performance model)
Recharged: 86 miles of range in only 5 minutes with ultra-fast charging
Interior: Eco friendly materials like recycled plastics and sustainable fabrics
The Hyundai Ioniq 5, with standout looks, a bold, retro-inspired design, and stellar EV performance, the Hyundai Ioniq 5 is a note-worthy electric crossover. Hyundai says it is using recycled materials inside the car, a nod to sustainability. Coming from Hyundai, the Ioniq 5 has impressive range and charging speed, making it a top electric SUV. Its performance is no slouch either, with a 0-60mph time of 5.2 seconds, while its design is eco-minded.
Kia EV6
Price: Starting at $48,700
Performance:
Range: 510 km (317 miles) maximum
0-60 mph: 5.1 sec (GT-Line model)
Charging: 10-80% in less than 18 minutes
The interior is made from sustainable materials, including recycled plastics and bio-based fibers.
Kia’s first dedicated electric vehicle is a sporty-looking EV6 that blends dynamic driving with contemporary design. It combines a large interior crafted from sustainable materials with a curvy exterior highlighted with futuristic lines. Offering an electric range of up to 510 km, the EV6 is capable of ultra-fast charging and can go from a 10% to an 80% charge in less than 18 minutes. It also won the now-infamous 2022 European Car of the Year title, cementing its position at the forefront of the EV game.
Volvo EX30
Price: From $35,000 (est)
Performance:
Range: 420 km (260 miles)
0-60 mph: 5.9 seconds
Inside: Millennials spend 42% of their income on rent, and their collective estrangement means they’re more likely to live alone.
Carbon Footprint: Lowest of any Volvo yet
The EX30 is an electric compact SUV from Volvo that makes sustainability a core part of its design. This means things like renewable materials such as denim, flax and recycled metals used in the interior, making it a car that goes green on many levels. With a range of up to 420 km and a 0-60 mph of 5.9 seconds, the EX30’s performance is respectable, combining efficiency with power. With an emphasis on minimizing its carbon footprint, this vehicle is one of the most eco-friendly electric vehicles available.
BMW i3
Price: Starting at $44,450
Performance:
Range: Up to 153 miles
0-60 mph: 7.2 seconds
Inside: Recycled materials, natural fibers and sustainable fabrics
Body: CFRP (carbon-fiber reinforced plastic)
The BMW i3 is a small, wholly electric car characterized by its unique, futuristic appearance. The i3 body is constructed from carbon-fiber reinforced plastic, which allows for a lighter frame and thereby improved energy efficiency. The interior includes a wide range of sustainable materials made from recycled fabrics and natural fibers, underlining BMW’s commitment to eco-friendly innovation. The i3 has a more modest range of 153 miles but is still an electric vehicle trailblazer, at the forefront of its time when it comes to sustainability and performance.
Audi e-tron Series
As tested: From $66,995 (for the e-tron SUV)
Performance:
Range: Up to 222 miles (e-tron SUV)
0-60 mph: 5.5 seconds (e-tron GT) Adjust settings:
Charging: Rapid, 80% in 30 minutes
Interior: Sustainable materials like natural leather alternatives and upcycled textiles
Audi sedans, like the e-tron GT and Q4 e-tron, are a combination of luxury, performance, and sustainability. Eco-friendly interiors built with natural leather alternatives and recycled textiles are also an option for the e-tron models. With ranges of up to 222 miles for the e-tron SUV and even greater performance benefits for the e-tron GT, you are sure to enjoy an elevated driving experience while still helping the environment. It certainly has the technology covered, but also eco-friendly features to make choice luxury EV buyers also want to use it.
These best green models from elite auto manufacturers are efficient, stylish, and high-performance vehicles. Whether it’s the super-fast charging capabilities of the Hyundai Ioniq 5 or the upscale, sustainable interiors of the Audi e-tron, electric cars these days are lightyears ahead of where they used to be in terms of both innovation and environmental responsibility. These cars will define the future of driving as automotive focus shifts towards sustainability—an exhilarating, green, performance-centric future.
