I drove one of the very first Ford Fusion hybrids a few years ago – and loved it. And that was before the car came in three different models. One option today is the “standard” Fusion. This model gets around 28 mpg overall, and costs around $21,000. Nice, but not enough to be considered “my” green car of the year.

However, the next two options are what make a difference. The Fusion Hybrid achieves 47 mpg, which is terrific compared to most cars on the market. And get this: the Energi model, a plug-in hybrid, is aiming to deliver an estimated 100 mpg. Plus the Energi is still available for a federal tax rebate.

Here’s how the Energi works, according to the Ford website. “The new Fusion Energi …combines a high-voltage battery and electric motor with a gasoline engine. The high-voltage lithium-ion battery pack provides enough power to operate in all-electric mode for short commutes. Thanks to plug-in capability, you can charge the battery using a 120-volt outlet. Or you can use a 240-volt outlet, upgraded with electric vehicle supply equipment. To lessen any concern you may have about driving range, when the battery is depleted or more power is required, the vehicle functions as a traditional gas-electric hybrid. The Fusion Energi also features a Regenerative Braking System, allowing it to capture kinetic braking energy and store it for later use.”

Earlier this year, I had the chance to interview Dr. Ellen Lee, an engineer and technical expert in plastics research at Ford Motor Company. Dr. Lee has helped develop some of the more eco-friendly materials going in to the Fusion and other Ford vehicles, including seat fabric and cushions made from soy. These “bio-based” innovations have helped Ford reduce its petroleum use by more than 3 million pounds annually while cutting carbon dioxide emissions by more than 15 million pounds.

Ford is also experimenting with using recycled denim from blue jeans and recycled soda bottles in other materials applications in the Fusion.

Here’s this year’s auto show schedule if you want to stop by and take a look at the Fusion, or any of the other hybrids and electric vehicle options you’ll find on display. At the International show in Detroit January 14-27, an “Electric Avenue” will showcase electric vehicles and innovations, both from traditional automakers as well as entrepreneurs.

Related Posts:

Ford Fusion Hybrid: Good Choice for Family Looking for High MPG

Energy-Efficient Fusion Deputs at North American Auto Show

My Test Drive of the All-Electric Nissan Leaf: On a Scale of One to Ten…

Zip Car Comes to the Rescue – And Saves Me a Lot of Money

NOTE: Some Ford Fusions are being recalled due to the 1.6 litre “eco boost” engines overheating. Before you buy a new 2013 Fusion, ask the car dealer if the vehicle you want needs a repair – though chances are, if it hasn’t left the lot yet, it is being sent back to the factory to get this problem taken care of.

The post Ford Fusion Named 2013 “Green Car of the Year” appeared first on Big Green Purse.

Here are a few comparisons of gas-saving vehicles in case you’re in the market for a car right now. Mileage estimates are taken from the federal www.fueleconomy.gov. (By the way, you can reduce exterior maintenance on your car by keeping it covered. Here are a variety of Honda car covers, courtesy of CarCovers.com.)

Sedans

• Toyota Prius (left) – 48 mpg city/ 45 mpg hwy (some drivers report getting as much as 56 mpg on the hwy; some drivers report getting as “little” as 35 mpg in the city — which still outperforms most other models)

• Honda Civic Hybrid (right) – 40 mpg city/ 45 mpg hwy

• Camry Hybrid Sedan 33 mpg city/ 34 mpg hwy (some drivers report getting as much as 42 mpg on the highway
• Toyota Corolla 28 mpg city/ 37 mpg hwy
• Toyota Yaris 29 mpg city/ 36 mpg hwy  (manual transmission)
• Saturn Aura Hybrid Sedan  24 mpg city/ 32 mpg hwy

Mini Vans (still no gas-saving hybrids available; the companies are focusing their fuel-efficiency initiatives on sedans and SUVs)

• Honda Odyssey – 17 mpg city/ 25 mpg hwy

• Dodge Caravan – 17 mpg city/ 24 mpg hwy
• Toyota Sienna – 16 mpg city /21 mpg hwy

SUV Hybrids (from an environmental point of view, there’s no point in considering non-hybrid SUVs, all of which get less than 20 mpg, and many of which squeak by with a measley 10-15 mpg)

• Ford Escape Hybrid  29 mpg city/ 29 mpg hwy (right)
• Saturn Vue Hybrid 25 mpg city/ 32 mpg hwy
• Toyota Highlander  27 mpg city / 25 mpg hwy

Compare any of these to the best-selling Ford F-150 FFV 4WD pick-up truck. This gas guzzler gets a paltry 13 mpg in the city and 17 mpg on the hwy. And if you use the E-85 ethanol blend so many of the car makers are talking up, the fuel efficiency of the F-150 drops significantly: to 10 mpg in the city and 12 mpg hwy.

To compare other cars you may be considering, visit www.fueleconomy.gov.

To see the most fuel-efficient vehicles by class, visit http://www.epa.gov/fueleconomy/class-high.htm.

To take a peek at the new green cars you can consider buying in 2010, read the rundown at EcoGeeks.

The post Most Fuel-Efficient Cars Still the Prius and Honda Civic appeared first on Big Green Purse.