Mitsubishi i-MiEV Tops the Greenest Car List for 2012
Making its debut in the U.S. market, the all-electricMitsubishi i-MiEV has knocked the Honda Civic Natural Gas car from its eight-year reign as No. 1 on the annual Greenest Vehicles List compiled by the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy.

The organization released its annual rank and spank lists this morning of the vehicles that are the "Greenest," the "Meanest" (the worst) and the "Greenest Choices" for their class based on tailpipe emissions, fuel economy and emissions related to climate change.

With a combined city and highway fuel economy of 112 miles per gallon equivalent, the Mitsubishi subcompact fared the best among the 12 cars that made the Greenest List. It scored 58 out of a possible 100 points -- the highest tally ever -- in a list that for the first time is dominated by hybrids.

This year's lists, which coincide with the first year that EPA's stricter fuel economy standards are in effect, reflect car makers' response to the market demand for better fuel economy and a broader array of green choices.

And the increased competition to produce electric cars, hybrids and super and ultra low emission vehicles made it particularly tough to win a place on the 2012 list. For example, Hyundai, Kia and Infiniti brought hybrids to market for the 2012 model year, but none scored among the top 12.

"It was a fight to the death to make the Greenest List this year," said Shruti Vaidyanathan, lead vehicle analyst for the ACEEE.

The Honda Civic Natural Gas, a compressed natural gas vehicle previously branded as the Honda Civic GX, slipped to the No. 2 spot. And the Chevy Volt, which was 12th on the 2011 list, didn't make the cut this year. In fact, no U.S. brand is among the 2012 top 12.

Here is this year's list of the most environmentally friendly cars:
For comparison, here is the 2011 list::
We hope you find something you like on this list and make the change over to a EV.