Printer Friendly Version Email to a Friend Close

At the L.A. Auto Show this year, there were two separate award ceremonies for the Green Car of the Year 2008. Inside, at the "official" award ceremony, the Chevy Tahoe Hybrid was announced the winner. Outside, at an "unofficial" ceremony staged across the street, the Plug-In Toyota Prius Hybrid won the prize.

So which is the greenest car of the two? The Chevy Tahoe gets 20 mpg. The Plug-In Toyota Prius gets 100 mpg.

At the unofficial award ceremony, four Plug-In Toyota hybrids were on display by Plug-In Conversions and CalCars. These two enterprising organizations, along with the Rainforest Action Network, Global Exchange, and PlugInAmerica, staged the "real" green award ceremony to send a message to major car manufacturers that increased fuel efficiency is possible and affordable to produce.

Plug-In Hybrids are a great alternative for cleaner transportation. For fleet owners, the pay-back period for the conversion costs would be relatively short. The intial approximate price to convert a Pruis is $12,000. However, it costs less that one dollar to charge the vehicle. Its all-electric range includes the first 50-60 miles, and after that, the gas engine kicks in as in the conventional Prius.

For business owners looking to green their fleet and cut back on company carbon emissions, plug-in conversions are a great choice.