This eco-friendly car features list is a great way to find eco-friendly cars that suit your needs. Whether you’re looking for an eco-friendly car with an automatic transmission or eco-friendly luxury cars, we’ve got you covered.
As gasoline prices continue to rise, more people are looking for eco-friendly cars to save money and help reduce emissions. Electric cars might not seem very appealing because they don’t have the same power as gas-powered cars, but there are options if you want a car that’s both affordable and environmentally friendly. We’ve compiled a list of 25 eco-friendly and fuel-efficient cars so that you can feel good about the environment while driving. These are our top picks for eco-friendly and fuel-efficient autos on the market today.
Table of Contents
1. Electric
The most obvious choice for an eco-friendly car feature is the electric engine. These cars require fewer parts and don’t burn gasoline, producing fewer emissions than traditional vehicles. If you regularly drive long distances and need something with more range, consider a hybrid car.
2. Hybrid
A hybrid car has both an electric motor and a gas-powered engine, allowing it to switch back and forth depending on how far you are driving or your desired speed. These cars tend to be more powerful than other eco-friendly options yet still have low emissions rates.
Companies such as Crusader Vans have also made electric and hybrid vans accessible to the masses with a great selection of top-of-the-range vans for affordable deals. The electric car is fast becoming the mode of transport favored by the future because of companies such as this.
3. CNG Engine
A Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) engine burns cleaner than fuel and produces fewer emissions. It’s common to find CNG engines in hybrid cars, which improve overall gas mileage and reduce greenhouse gases.
4. Gear Transmission
Manual transmissions are standard for eco-friendly cars because they don’t waste energy. If you choose an automatic transmission, look for a “skip shift” model that automatically turns it into neutral when you slow down.
5. Cold Air Intake
Most eco-friendly cars have cold air intakes to reduce emissions and improve performance. Instead of drawing in hot air, these systems pull cooler air from the car’s front and force it through the engine. This helps reduce wear on the engine and increase fuel efficiency by up to 10 percent.
6. Low Rolling Resistance Tires
Look for eco-friendly cars with low rolling resistance tires because they improve gas mileage while also reducing noise pollution. In some cases, you get a car that’s 20 percent quieter than other vehicles on the road.
7. Automated Climate Control
A car with automated climate control can monitor different areas inside the cabin and adjust them as needed, reducing energy wastage from cooling or heating the entire cabin all at once. This feature is eco-friendly because it uses less electricity to power the HVAC system.
8. Carpool Lane Access
If you plan to drive alone or take public transportation, look for a car with a decal that allows you to use the high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) lane. Since these lanes are usually on the left side of the road and intended only for cars with two or more passengers, they often have space for faster drivers.
9. Infotainment System
A car with an infotainment system can help you find the most efficient way to get to your destination. The ecoRoute feature tracks fuel consumption, mileage, and other data about your trip, while eco-challenge rewards drivers who drive more efficiently. Many of these systems also offer real-time traffic updates that can guide you around congested areas.
10. Car Covers
Rather than purchasing a car cover, look for an eco-friendly car with a paint finish that doesn’t easily attract dust or dirt. These systems reduce “drag” on the vehicle’s exterior, which allows it to use less energy to speed up or slow down.
11. Low Drag
The exterior design of an eco-friendly car reduces drag with features like a rear spoiler and underbody panels. Some cars even have wheel caps that cover up the lug nuts on the wheels to reduce wind resistance. These systems may help improve your gas mileage by as much as 10 percent.
12. Plug-in Capability
Look for a plug-in hybrid car with a range of 20 to 50 miles so you can drive without using any gas at all. These vehicles typically have an electric motor and a traditional engine that works together. If you need more driving range, consider purchasing an extended-range plug-in vehicle with two engines: one battery-powered and the other for gasoline.
13. Brake Energy Regeneration
An eco-friendly car with regenerative braking can capture the energy given off by your brakes and use it to power auxiliary systems like the radio, air conditioning, or heating. These systems are often used in hybrids because they help improve gas mileage by up to 20 percent.
14. Low Emissions
Look for a car that has been certified by either the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency or the California Air Resources Board, both of which have emission standards in place. The “green diesel” certification from Blue Sky in Oregon is another good choice for driving a truck or other commercial vehicle.
15. Alternative Fuel
Gasoline and diesel cars are not eco-friendly because they release carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. Find an alternative fuel car, either electric or runs on ethanol, biodiesel, or another eco-friendly substance.
16. Air Filter
Manufacturers have limited the number of air filters in cars, so they don’t have to reduce engine performance for fuel economy gains, but a dirty air filter can lead to a loss of power. Look for a car with an environmentally friendly air filter that does not require regular replacement.
17. Low Rolling Resistance
Look for eco-friendly cars on sale with low rolling resistance tires because they improve gas mileage while reducing noise pollution. In some cases, you get a car that is both quiet and fuel-efficient, which might save you as much as 20 percent on gas.
18. Synthetic Oil
Cars with a synthetic oil system give drivers the option to fill the engine with eco-friendly oil that does not have petroleum additives. Look for an electronically monitored system that can automatically change how much synthetic oil is used based on current conditions.
19. Eco-friendly Covers
Rather than purchasing a car cover, look for an eco-friendly car with a paint finish that doesn’t easily attract dust or dirt. These systems reduce “drag” on the vehicle’s exterior, which allows it to use less energy to speed up or slow down.
20. Vehicle Tracking
If your car is stolen, it cannot be easy to recover because of the challenges involved in tracking a vehicle. Look for eco-friendly cars with GPS systems that allow you to track them down remotely and disable the engine if necessary.
21. Emission Sensors
A car emits various gases, not all of which are environmentally friendly. Look for a vehicle with an emission sensor that can detect dangerous emissions and alert you to problems before they start.
22. LED Lights
These lights use up to 50 percent less energy than traditional light sources because they emit more light per watt. The bright lights also generate less heat, helping the vehicle operate more efficiently.
23. Hybrid Engines
A hybrid engine can be similar to a traditional gas-powered car. Still, it also includes an electric motor that captures energy from braking and stores it for later use. These systems are useful when driving at low speeds like in city traffic or when accelerating onto the highway.
24. Radar Alerts
Some vehicles will alert you if they are getting too close to another car, depending on how fast your vehicle travels. The alerts come in the form of a beeping noise, warning lights mounted inside the cabin, or vibrations from the seat itself.
25. Air Filtration Systems
Even the nicest eco-friendly cars must pass emissions tests, but they don’t have to give off as many dangerous chemicals as other vehicles. Look for a car with an air filtration system that can keep up to 97 percent of harmful diesel particulates from reaching your lungs.
26. Inflatable Rear Safety Belts
Although not as effective as standard safety belts, these inflatable belts reduce the risk of injury in a rear-end collision by pumping up and filling with air.
27. Air Conditioning
Cars require technology to keep passengers comfortable, but many systems release dangerous chemicals like Freon into the atmosphere that can be unhealthy for human consumption. Look for an eco-friendly vehicle that has the option to adjust the temperature without resorting to air conditioning.
At last,
From futuristic fuel-efficient and environmentally conscious cars to hyper-local, sustainable farming practices. Eco-friendly car features are an important part of a greener future for us all. Follow this guide on 25 eco-friendly car features to help you find more efficient transportation with better environmental impact and feel good about your choices.
