General Motors is making noticeable efforts to break away from the “your-grandpa’s-car” notion previously attached to its name. It has done so, in part, with its production of 4 electric cars, which will totally redefine how you think of clean fuel vehicles.

GM recently unveiled two new models of electric cars at the 2015 North American International Auto Show: The 2016 Chevrolet Volt and the Chevrolet Bolt EV concept, joining the Chevrolet Spark EV and Cadillac ELR Coupe on GM’s roster of such vehicles. Ranging from superbly practical to downright sexy, it seems that GM’s rebranding and forward-thinking efforts have created something for everyone concerned with fuel efficiency.

Image: Steve Fecht

1. 2016 Chevrolet Volt

Simply put, the Volt is “fun to drive,” according to Alan Batey, president of GM North America. He’s not alone, though, since Volt owners are some of the most satisfied drivers around, creating a bit of a cult-like culture among them. After all, this electric car is a three-time consecutive winner of the JD Power APEAL award. Owners report using the first generation of the Volt’s electric capacity roughly 80 percent of the time, but voiced an eagerness to increase that usage to 100 percent, which the 2016 model looks to achieve. Since fewer trips to the gas station is one step toward reduced oil dependence, this car is a well-suited match to we, as the brand has nicknamed us, “greenies.”

Image: Steve Fecht

2. Chevrolet Bolt EV concept

Many are curious to know if the Bolt is simply a replacement for the Volt, to which Batey responds,“The answer is no.” Instead, the Bolt is looking to fill an affordability gap in the electric car market, which has been criticized for a sense of elitism among its options. With its $30,000 price tag, the Bolt is accessible to broader populations and won’t leave buyers won’t be short-changed. Given its 200-mile range, drivers can almost travel the distance between New York and Boston; that is, once all the snow melts.

Image: chevrolet.com

3. 2015 Chevrolet Spark EV

A new set of eyes is on the Spark EV: East Coasters. In January, GM announced that the Spark EV will be available in the state of Maryland in the spring of 2015, expanding its presence to a bicoastal status (previously, according the model was only available in Oregon and California). The Spark EV offers yet another affordable option; after federal and state tax credits, the car will go for $17,845. The newer model is priced modestly higher, $19,185, but with its 82-mile range, it’s sure to make Beltway Bandits smile.

Image: gm.com

4. Cadillac ELR Coupe

The ELR, it seems, is GM’s response to the high-end Tesla, advertising a 300-mile range to match its $75,000 starting price tag. With the Tesla’s highest-end Model X currently going for $80,000, the ELR is beyond comparable, especially when considering that it beats Tesla’s 230-mile range. Also on our appreciation checklist is the efforts of GM to make an environmental appeal by a brand formerly known for an impressively geriatric customer base. Pink Cadillac? No, thanks. We’re more inclined to check out this green Cadillac.

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Top Image: Steve Fecht

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Hybrid cars are all the rage. But are they really greener?

Some people might call my car a junker, but I roll around town in my 1997 Nissan 200sx with pride. That’s partially because I’m glad to tout my non-preoccupation with shiny new stuff, but mostly because my trusty little subcompact gets 35 miles to the gallon on the highway. That’s right—read it and weep, hybrid-SUV owners. The truth is that, despite the clever marketing, hybrid cars are not always greener than their traditional counterparts—and not just because of gas mileage.

First of all, let’s talk new versus used. Cars require factories to produce them, which require parts, which require raw materials…you get the idea. So that Prius uses a whole lot of energy and resources before ever seeing the sales lot. In fact, Wired magazine estimates that pollution-wise, building a new Prius is equal to burning 1,000 gallons of gasoline.

Given the wastefulness of auto production, it’s often better to buy a used car than a new one, even if the mpg is somewhat lower. Obviously a Hummer is a worse choice than a Prius in almost any case (unless that monstrous vehicle runs on biodiesel), but a car built a decade ago that gets around 30 miles to the gallon is greener than a new hybrid that gets 46 mpg, according to Wired.

Speaking of mpg, not every hybrid gets great gas mileage. The aforementioned SUVs range from 20 to 34 miles to the gallon, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. (Ahem, not quite up to par with my little 2-door.) Hybrid pickup trucks are even more abysmal, with Chevys and GMCs ranging from 20 to 23 mpg. Surprisingly, pricey luxury cars are the worst offenders: a 2013 Lexus LS 600h gets 19 mpg city and 23 highway, and the 2012 BMW ActiveHybrid 7 gets just 17 mpg city and 24 highway. Yep, that’s 17 luxurious miles per gallon driving on surface streets. But I bet it’s fast.

Despite the eco-unfriendliness of certain models, there are a fair number of hybrids with better mileage than most traditional cars. The 2013 Prius gets 48 mpg city and an impressive 53 mpg highway, while the 2013 Ford C-CMAX gets 47 mpg across the board. Interestingly, you can come close to these numbers with a true blast from the past like the 1986 Honda CRX HF, which gets 42 mpg city and 51 highway — but the repair bills could get steep.

So what’s an eco-lover to do? Emissions-free electric cars are a good choice, but only if you live in an area that produces clean power. Otherwise, think small and used. If you don’t want to risk something too old, a used hybrid might be a good idea. They’ve been out long enough now to hit the used-car circuit and get better mileage than many other options. Whatever model you go with, it’s crucial that you consider the ecological impact of your choice. Transportation emissions are responsible for most of the pollution in the United States, spewing toxins into the air we breathe and contributing to climate change — which affects all of us.

image: SusanAstray

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We wish more of you in the spotlight would bask in the green light, including Olympic poster boys, platinum-capped rappers and Hollywood idols who consume our fascination. What they own, where they live, what they drive, what they wear, what they eat: It drives our popular culture.

Imagine the potential impact of the young and wasteful who make the choice to get on board the eco movement beyond peddling torn tights and alternative energy fluids like Red Bull.

True, not every ingenue puts herself on the line, like Hayden Panettiere, who traveled to the Japanese village of Taiji to protest the dolphin slaughter. And not every handsome screen idol can fill Leo’s shoes, lending his support to countless causes, like the upcoming Christie’s International Green Auction to raise mega bucks for four non-profit environmental organizations.

We don’t judge the slackers harshly because, well, the dangling adverts and chauffeured SUVs are hard to pass up. But we urge the following stars to try out for a more worthwhile role, that of sustainable spokesperson for a hurting planet.

Shaun White Red Bull and Target Line: Adverts Not Medal-Worthy

The world’s best uber-snowboarder and top money maker can make a huge dent by being more selective about endorsements, promoting healthy, sustainable products. But Shaun White has aligned himself as an extreme Red Bull energy drinker (should we drink it to board like him?) and a line of boy’s wear at Target to name a few. Some of the garments are cotton (and not organic) but the sweats contain a lot of plastic polyester. This would have been a great chance to score a green eco line, a hot move for sure. After all, his Target advert made the screen at Times Square. That’s power!

Sean Kingston: My Super 18 Reflective of Phat-Pack Lavish Cribs and Bling

The five pound gold watch says it’s time for Sean to green his act. Perhaps a casualty of MTV Cribs and other entertainment flaunting the lavish lives of the rich and blung, the rapper’s idea of  a birthday is staging a Super 18 bash at Jungle Beach in Jamaica with his entourage, iced in $100,000 of new jewelry and adding a new car to his fleet. The native of Kingston could do so much more to send the right message. Conspicuous consumption? Zzz.

Lindsay Lohan Has Holes in Her Eco Story

Perpetually in trouble (last stint was falling into a patch of succulents), Lohan is adding hand bags to her questionable 6126 fashion line, which also includes green leggings. She needs to go the way of Project Runway’s Leeann Marshall and others who are investing in green that is more sustainable than trashy. In this case, Mama may actually know best because Dina Lohan launched an eco-friendly toothbrush that might get more support that the 6126 hose. Lohan should really get on board the green bus with true commitment, forgoing the junk food and drugs and getting healthy to set an example for her fans.

Miley Cyrus Needs to Deliver that Eco Line without Inconsistencies

“I’m a vegetarian but I hate vegetables and eat pasta everyday,” she was quoted saying, as thousands of young fans listed with baited breath. Great. One day she is reaching out to recruit green teens. The next she is swapping out her Toyotoa Prius for a Mercedes SUV. Ecorazzi says Miley blames the recall but the truth is her dog outgrew the hybrid. This is a mega rich, red hot star who has cashed in on her Hanah Montana products – most of them cheesy polyester girl’s wear sold at Sears, Walmart, Macy’s and other big box stores. Even her Target bedding (what kids breathe in nightly), is filled with toxic textiles. Why not use the good stuff, Miley? You would be even richer when it comes to promoting healthy living.

Team Beckham: Gas-Guzzling Cars, Real Estate, Mega Miles, Sugar Adverts, $1.5 million Shopping Sprees

One critic of the soccer star went so far as to accuse him of “causing global warming.” That’s because the family man (Victoria and three little forwards), reportedly among other accusations, owns a fleet of 15 cars (including an Escalade) and racked up more than 250,000 frequent flier miles last year. And he can spend the money he earns to bend. According to MSN, he spent a cool three grand to fly his pampered bulldog pup in luxury from England to Beverly Hills through a VIP service that included special care. He also has endorsed high sugar products, a no-no for athletes and greenies alike. Then again, wife Victoria is said to own $2 million in Hermes Birkin bags, and reportedly dropped $1.5 million shopping for a single season in Milan, claiming “shopping is like a drug.” Yep, that’s why most of us stay away from Via Montenapoleone when in Milan.

Images: alacoolb, Style News, Ecorazzi, Infobarrtell, Addict, Hauteliving

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Once upon a time, green cars weren’t exactly hot. Only hardcore treehuggers knew much about them, let alone owned one, while most of the world continued to carry on the grand love affair with SUVs.

It’s 2010, and the times have definitely changed. Now, fuel-efficient cars of all stripes, from compact clean diesel cars to luxury hybrids, are just as sexy and powerful as those increasingly archaic gas guzzlers. These 10 green cars stand out as examples of just how great green really is.

Ford Fusion Hybrid
Base Price: $27,950
MPG: 41/36

The 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid wasn’t voted green car of the year – it was voted car of the year, period. It faced some stiff competition, including its own non-hybrid version and three fuel-efficient vehicles – the Honda Insight, the Toyota Prius and the Volkswagen Golf TDI. North American Car of the Year juror Csaba Csere said, “Though not the first hybrid on the market, or even the second or third, the Fusion Hybrid is simply the best one ever built. In addition to delivering terrific mileage, it looks and drives like a regular car – and a very good one indeed.”

Audi A3 TDI
Base Price: $29,950
MPG: 30/42

Clean diesel got its due this year with the Audi A3 TDI, named Green Car Journal’s 2010 Green Car of the Year. With a sporty, aggressive look and all of the extras expected from the Audi brand, this upscale compact car certainly escapes the stereotype that green vehicles aren’t as fun as their less environmentally friendly counterparts. Classified by the EPA as a small station wagon but described by Audi as a “Sportback”, this high efficiency vehicle is both significantly less expensive and significantly greener than another notably fuel-efficient luxury car – the Mercedes-Benz S400.

Nissan Leaf
Base Price: N/A
MPG: N/A

It won’t be available until December, but the Nissan Leaf is already generating buzz of epic proportions. Winner of Green Car Journal’s 2010 Vision Award, this all-electric vehicle will hook up to a special charging system that runs off a home’s 220-volt power, refilling a drained battery in about eight hours. It can travel up to 100 miles between charges with a reported 107 horsepower and top speed of about 90mph.

The exact price of the Leaf hasn’t been set just yet, but Green Car Journal believes it will be “approachable” and will include the home charger and the battery, likely as a monthly lease fee.

Volkswagen Golf TDI
Base Price: $21,990
MPG: 30/41

It’s roomy. It’s fuel efficient. Oh yeah, and it’s crazy fast. Just ask Jalopnik’s Wes Siler, who got to test drive the Volkswagen Golf TDI on the Autobahn last fall before anyone else had their hands on one. Powered by clean diesel, this powerful little car is almost as green as a hybrid and the four-door model can comfortably seat six adults. The Golf TDI has the same engine as the popular VW Jetta but at 250 pounds lighter, its performance is even better.

Smart ForTwo
Base Price: $11,990
MPG: 41/33

It won’t be blowing anyone away on the Autobahn anytime soon, but where the Smart ForTwo really shines is in its intended environment: the city. This tiny car, with room for two adults and minimal cargo, is the ideal urban vehicle, fitting into the smallest of parking spaces and getting awesome fuel mileage that rivals that of hybrid cars.

Lexus HS 250h
Base Price: $34,650 M
PG: 35/34

Sure, it’s on the pricey side – but hey, luxury consumers want fuel-efficient, earth-friendly cars too, and Lexus delivers with the HS 250h. This hybrid sedan was described by HybridCars.com as “a luxury Prius with a trunk”, but it’s far more than that. As Lexus’ first dedicated hybrid, the HS 250h improves upon previous “mild hybrids”, which didn’t exactly get impressive fuel mileage. It’s got features galore including a front-view monitor with a 190-degree angle of view and a navigation system with real-time traffic and weather. As for the Prius comparison – it costs considerably more, but it’s also 40 percent more powerful.

Mercury Milan Hybrid
Base Price: $31,915
MPG: 41/36

Some people might say the Mercury Milan Hybrid is just a Ford Fusion by another name. That’s true – almost. Under the surface, it’s the same exact car, down to the lauded features like “Smart Gauge with EcoGuide”. It just looks a bit different, with a more rounded nose and the signature Mercury grille.

Honda Insight
Base Price: $19,800
MPG: 40/43

Green Car Reports says the Honda Insight “may be the best bang for your hybrid buck.” The Insight’s fuel mileage may not be quite as impressive as that of the Toyota Prius, but it costs several thousand dollars less. It may take some hybrid drivers time to get used to the Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) system, which starts the car with the internal combustion engine first and glides into using the silent electric motor after idling, stopping or going under 10mph.

Honda Fit
Base Price: $14,900
MPG: 28/35

It may not be a hybrid or run off of electricity, but the highly acclaimed Honda Fit is still a great, green little car and an excellent value. The 2010 Fit is actually no different from the 2009 model, but that’s because they got everything right the first time. The manual transmission gets slightly better fuel mileage than the automatic version at a combined 31mpg. The best thing about this hatchback is its surprising roominess, with a “magic seat” that folds down to accommodate so much cargo, you’d think it was an SUV (without all the gas guzzling.)

Toyota Prius
Base Price: $22,800
MPG: 51/48

Is it totally predictable to include the Toyota Prius on a “hot green cars” list? It may be ubiquitous, but the Toyota Prius is popular for a reason. Despite the Japanese automaker’s recent pedal woes, which have led to a massive recall, the Prius remains among the greenest cars on the market.

The 2010 model has even better fuel efficiency than ever, and adds not just a solar moon roof – which powers a solar ventilation system – but the world’s first remote air conditioning system that can function on battery power alone. Drivers also have more control over the experience with three driving modes: EV-Drive for driving at low speeds on battery power alone, Power Mode for increased throttle sensitivity and Eco Mode for maximum fuel efficiency.

Be sure to check out our review of the Greenest Cars of 2009, too.

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