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8 – Most eco-friendly electric SUVs

Zotye-electric-SUV

The growing concern to save the environment has prompted many of us to adopt a greener source of energy in our daily life. This Go Green approach has touched the auto industry as well with many automakers now manufacturing eco-friendly electric SUVs, which are powered by an electric motor. The bigger the vehicles higher would be its carbon emissions. If you calculate per vehicles emissions, SUVs would definitely stand much higher than normal cars. Therefore, it is important that we develop strategies to reduce vehicle-related carbon emissions. One of the best ways of doing so is by going for electric SUVs. A relatively new concept, they would surely dominate the near future when the fuel prices would rise. So, keeping one in your garage is not a bad option.

8 – Most eco-friendly electric SUVs

The SUVs market is expanding rapidly and it is expected that many customers would prefer to buy battery-powered SUVs in place of fuel guzzling machines. There are several battery-powered SUVs present in the market these days. Here is a list of five most eco-friendly SUVs designed to run on batteries.

1. Range Rover E-Range

Manufactured by Oxford-based Liberty Electric Cars, the electric Range Rover is one of the top range eco-friendly electric SUVs because it is powered by an electric motor, which derives energy from six Lithium Polymer batteries. This SUV can reach a maximum speed of 85mph. This eco-friendly vehicle can go from zero to 60mph in just seven seconds. The range of the battery is 200 miles and it has a life of 13 years. In addition, the battery of this car can be charged without using wire and plugs. All you need to is park the car above an induction plate and the battery will get fully charged in around three hours.

2. SsangYong KEV2

The battery-powered KEV2 Concept manufactured by SsangYong was shown to the world during the 2011 Seoul Motor Show. This all-electric SUV is based on Korando by Ssang Yong but it has got a more stylish and aggressive look. This SUV has got a masculine body, which is highly streamlined. The car has a beautiful exterior and a spacious interior, which can comfortably accommodate five passengers. The battery is fitted below the cargo area of this vehicle, making the interior more spacious. This eco-friendly car is powered by an electric motor with an output of 161 horsepower. The range of this SUV is 112 miles. Furthermore, the electric motor derives energy from a 35-kWh lithium-ion battery pack, which gets fully recharged in 30 minutes when connected to a DC fast charge setup. This purely electric SUV weighing 1750 kg can hit a high speed of 150 kilometers per hour.

3. Zotye electric SUV

Chinese company Zotye Holding Group has managed the battery-powered Zotye electric SUV. The company claims that this vehicle has a range of 250 miles and it can touch a maximum speed of 70 miles per hour. This car comes with a three-year and 50,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty. The electric motor of this car derives energy from the 25.6 kWh lithium-ion battery pack. Featuring a front-wheel-drive layout, the electric motor of this has a total output of 36 horsepower and it delivers 162 pound-feet of torque. Weighing just 2,640lbs, the overall length of this SUV with an aggressive design is 12.8 feet. Moreover, this car sports modern features like power windows, AC, DVD audio system. Furthermore,  this eco-friendly car also features a port for quick charging.

4. Electric Mercedes Benz ML 350

The electric Mercedes-Benz ML 350s is actually a converted vehicle, which is used by Iceland-based firm Northern Lights Energy. This company is renowned for promoting renewable energy related technology. The cars are converted by well-known EV conversion company named AMP. NLE struck a deal with AMP to supply 1000 all-electric Mercedes-Benz ML 350 SUVs to them for use on Iceland’s icy roads. It is learnt that the combined price of these cars are over $100 million. Besides converting the Mercedes, AMP has also converted some other fuel-guzzling SUVs into eco-friendly all-electric machine. In addition, this converted vehicle is completely green because it is powered by an electric motor and does not emit harmful gases at all.

5. Audi q5 Hybrid Quattro

This battery-powered SUV manufactured by Audi was officially revealed during the LA auto show in 2010. This compact hybrid SUV features both a gasoline engine and an electric motor. These engines can work together for a better output. This car was released in early 2011. Audi has used a 2.0-liter TFSI engine with an output of 211 hp in this car. The electric motor used in this car generates 34 horsepower. This motor derives energy from a lithium-ion battery pack. This vehicle can touch a high speed of 100km/h. Furthermore, this SUV with 19-inch wheels has got a glossy black finished grille. The rear and front fenders bear Audi’s logo.

6. Tesla all-electric falcon wing Model X SUV

Tesla unveils Model X all-electric SUV

Tesla motors revealed the much awaited electric Model X, SUV in San Francisco. The first was the Model S, a sedan introduced last year and Model X is the third in line.

During the press event Tesla Motors CEO, Musk, told that the new SUV will use the same electric power train as the Model S. For better handling, the power train has been built around a flat battery, which provides a low center of gravity. However, the vehicle is expected to perform well in severe weather condition also.

The new electric SUV has been added with falcon wing doors. The model X SUV can accommodate seven people and there is ample space left for storage too. Moreover, the acceleration will be faster than Porsche 911, which means it can go from 0 to 60mph in just 4.4 seconds.

7. SUV E301

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Chinese car manufacturer Chang’An has showcased an ecofriendly SUV code-named E301 at the 2009 Shanghai Motor Show. The futuristic car comes with gull-wing doors for a futurisitic look. Under its hood it packs a hybrid electric engine to ensure that your ride is green and powerful. Furthermore, the design looks ready for the production line, but the company hasn’t made a statement on when the car might hit the streets. Roll over the jump for more views.

8. Hyundai i-oniq

Hyundai i-oniq Concept

Hyundai has finally taken the futuristic look to whole new levels of practicality, with their newest conceptualization of the hybrid-powered ‘i-oniq’. About to be unveiled at the exalted Geneva Motor Show on March 6; this modernistic vehicle only belonged to a figment of imagination dwelling between rudimentary sketches till last year. Back then, it was described as ‘a playful contrast between the sharp character lines and soft but muscular features.’ And now, the adept concept considerations have finally bore their fruit in the definitive form of the i-oniq.

Looking like a futuristic version of those present-day compact crossover cars, the sleek, curvaceous tones almost tend to tease the overall linearity of the geometric form of the vehicle. We obviously arrived at the crossover verdict, judging by the total length of 14.4 ft. This typically puts the vehicle in the same size category of Hyundai’s very own second-generation Tuscon. Moreover, according to sources, the i-oniq will be designed with a capacity for four people, which is lower than that of the bigger SUVs.

Finally, coming to its green credentials, the hybrid power train consists of a 1.0 liter, 3 cylinder gasoline engine. This set up will act as the power generator for supplying electricity to the built-in lithium-ion batteries, which in turn would complement the 109 hp electric motor. As for the range related specs, Hyundai has confirmed that the vehicle will correspond to a figure of around 75 miles (120 km) in its electric-only mode. However, the range will get remarkably extended to 435 miles (700km), when the special hybrid generator engine is in usage.

Final Words

Along with opting for public transport, one of the most common options for reducing carbon footprint is to use environmentally friendly transportation. Eco-friendly electric SUVs are amongst the best things to hit the road these days, and auto companies are all geared up to give you greener and more efficient options.

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