Toyota Prius Prime SE Named Most Ecological Vehicle in the US

The Toyota Prius Prime SE, a plug-in hybrid, has been named the most ecological vehicle in the United States by the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE). This announcement positions Toyota prominently in the sustainable vehicle market, with two additional models, the electric bZ4X and the plug-in hybrid RAV4 Prime, securing places in the top six.

The ACEEE rankings revealed the Lexus RZ 300e, Mini Cooper SE, and Nissan Leaf as second, third, and fourth, respectively. According to ACEEE, the Toyota Prius Prime SE, scoring 71 points, boasts the lowest annual fuel cost at US$529. Additionally, over half of the top 12 most ecological vehicles have initial prices below US$35,000.

In 2023, average prices for all electric vehicles in the United States dropped by 18%. Simultaneously, electric vehicle sales surged by 46%, reaching 1.2 million units last year. Peter Huether, ACEEE's head of the ecological vehicle list, emphasized the importance of automakers expanding the range of affordable electric vehicles.

Huether stated, "For drivers whose needs aren't met by today's charging infrastructure, many options for efficient and affordable hybrids are available."

The Toyota Corolla hybrid, priced at US$23,500, emerged as the most affordable vehicle on the ecological list, with an estimated annual fuel cost of US$944.

ACEEE also released its list of the 12 least ecological vehicles, led by the Mercedes-Benz AMG G63, a gasoline vehicle with an estimated annual fuel cost of US$4,242.

The ACEEE is a US-based non-profit founded in 1980. Specializing in energy efficiency, ACEEE conducts research, provides technical assistance, and advocates for policies promoting economic prosperity, energy security, and environmental protection.