40 Mile High Club
MITSUBISHI I
$29,975 – $39,215
Range: 62 miles
City: 126 MPGe
Highway: 99 MPGe
Combined: 99 MPGe
Read Review
With a combined MPGe figure of 112, the Mitsibishi i electric egg on wheels is the most energy-efficient vehicle sold in America. Tiny though it may be, the Mitsubishi i has a surprisingly roomy interior, but its range is limited and it’s very expensive, even with government incentives factored in.
Love It: Lots of interior space in an easy-to-park package
Like It: The Mitsubishi i gives 126 MPGe bragging rights
Leave It: High price, chintzy interior
CHEVROLET VOLT
$39,995 – $44,175
Range: 375 miles
City (electric/gas): 95 MPGe/35 MPG
Highway: 93 MPGe/40 MPG
Combined: 94 MPGe/37 MPG
Read Review
The Chevy Volt is actually a range-extended electric vehicle. It charges up like a battery-powered EV for 35 to 40 miles of fuel-free driving, and once the battery runs low, a gasoline-powered engine-generator set kicks on to provide juice for the wheels — but even with the engine running, the Chevy Volt still gets 40 MPG on the highway. The Volt is a great choice for drivers who want EV efficiency with fuel-powered flexibility.
Love It: Smooth power delivery, gasoline engine eliminates “range anxiety”
Like It: : The Chevy Volt has a long list of standard equipment
Leave It: : Tight interior, short electric-only range, and a dashboard with hard to use buttons
FORD / AZURE TRANSIT CONNECT ELECTRIC
$57,400
Range: 56 miles
City: 62 MPGe
Highway: 62 MPGe
Combined: 62 MPGe
If you run your own business, your vehicle choices are largely limited to gas-guzzling vans and pickups. The Ford Transit Connect Electric is a good green choice — though it’s not particularly efficient by EV standards, it uses a lot less power than a gasoline- or diesel-powered van. Unfortunately, the high price, which negates most of the energy cost savings.
Love It: Good option for businesses that wish to go green
Like It: : Van-like cargo space, yet it parks in car-sized spaces
Leave It: Very high price, limited range
2 Responses to “40 Mile High Club”
VERY helpful article.
My secret was to buy a used 2005 Prius two years ago, so the cost was lower, but the efficiency fantastic!
Seems the owner traded it in for a newer model. And the mileage was low, which was great.
But even with high mileage, the Prius is Queen.
I’ve NEVER regretted this decision.
I bought a 2012 Focus S with the 5-speed manual, and have gotten 40-43 mpg on the highway with it, and my routine driving (city/mountain commuting) is in the 32-34 range. Great car, and very fun to drive. And being the base model…none of that glitchy MyFordTouch stuff to go wrong and cause problems.