Tesla is the leader of the current EV market. A lot of that can be attributed to its battery technology and battery management systems. We are pleased to give the Model 3 our nomination for Top Car for the Environment.
Yes, EVs still have a carbon footprint. But for a car like Model 3 with a large batteries, this carbon footprint isn’t necessarily less than ICE cars during their respective production phases. EVs are vastly more efficient than ICE vehicles, and so offer a better result over the life of the vehicle.
This is exactly what the Tesla Model 3 does. It is consistently rated as one the most efficient EVs in daily tests around the world, both casually and exhaustively. It is clear that Tesla is doing something better than the rest.
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Tesla is the best at energy efficiency. The Model 3 is the most efficient.
To see how efficient the Model 3 is, you only have to drive it and check the numbers. Tesla’s claimed range can be achieved even when driving hard. The 15kWh/100km figure that we saw last time we drove the Chinese-built Model 3 Long Range was a testimony to its exceptional energy efficiency.
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WLTP-tested figures for the Long Range are 16kWh/100km. To compare, our smaller MG ZS EV long term test car also managed to surpass its WLTP claim, but still returned more that 18kWh/100km during our time with them.
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It helps that you want to drive the Model 3 because it is a great car.
One potential negative mark is the lack of transparency around carbon produced during its manufacturing. But this is an industry-wide problem and not just Tesla. Polestar is the only one leading the transparency movement, so it will be interesting if this trend spreads throughout the industry.
We only hope that it does. It will make it much easier and more relevant to pick awards like this.
Runner up: Polestar 2
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The Polestar 2 was close, but it was the Polestar 2’s total transparency regarding its carbon footprint that was most impressive.
The Polestar 2 is not as efficient as the Model 3 in terms energy efficiency, with WLTP figures between 16.7kWh/100km and 19.4kWh/100km depending upon the model. However, it was close to winning the Tesla award for transparency.
The company shared data last year that revealed the carbon footprint of every Polestar 2 EV’s entire life cycle. This was in the hope of setting an example for other automotive companies, which, let’s face it, aren’t known for being truthful about the environmental impact of their vehicles.
Thomas Ingenlath, CEO of the company at the time, stated that “Every week, we see a new announcement by an automaker that it is moving towards electrification.” Going electric by itself is not enough. It is not the end goal to make cars electric, but it is a good starting point. We need to be open and transparent.
Transparency also seeps into the interior of Polestars. All materials are sustainable or recycled and fully recyclable.
Other contenders
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The striking Hyundai Infinitiq 5 is an excellent choice for something distinctive.
The Hyundai Ioniq 5 was a strong contender. Its similar approach to sustainable interiors as Polestar made it a strong contender. However, its energy efficiency may not be as good as that of the Tesla.
If you want something with a distinct style and undeniable appeal, it is an excellent alternative.
Other contenders were the Peugeot e-208, Mazda MX-30 and the Mazda MX-30. They use smaller batteries to reduce overall carbon footprint but at the cost of range.
