What is a green car? Everything you need to know

What began as a trend has turned into a necessity, with environmental consciousness making way for a newer version of traveling. More and more people are increasingly opting for alternatives to the traditional gasoline and diesel-powered cars—not just in an effort to conserve carbon emissions, but rather to make the commute smoother, quieter, and more cost-effective. Enter the clean car.

But what does a clean car mean, anyway? Is it a purely electric car? Are hybrids okay? The pros, myths, and realities of green motoring – no matter what your reason for wanting to make your commute, road trip, or one-off rental more environmentally friendly, this handbook will analyze all there is.

Defining a clean car: what makes it green?

A clean vehicle, by definition, is a car that produces significantly lower harmful emissions than a normal petrol or diesel-powered engine car. Its emissions are carbon dioxide (CO₂), nitrogen oxides (NOx), and particulate matter—that all have been shown to cause climate change as well as air pollution in urban areas.

Clean cars fall mainly into the following categories:

• All-electric vehicles: Powered by a battery and produce no tailpipe emissions.
• Plug-in hybrids (PHEVs): They possess an electric motor and a gas engine, as well as a battery. They can be run short distances on electricity alone.
• Hybrid Electric Vehicles (HEVs): They use a blend of electricity and fuel but are not plugged in—the battery charges through regenerative braking.
• Hydrogen-powered vehicle fuel cells: Emit only water vapor and operate using a chemical reaction between hydrogen and oxygen..

In its broad definition, any vehicle intended to lower its environmental impact by having low emissions, high energy efficiency, or utilizing renewable energy may qualify as a clean car.

Why driving clean matters

The transport industry emits around 25% of global CO₂. Changing over to clean vehicles, whether owned or rented, goes a significant way in reducing our carbon footprint. Going green isn’t just for the earth, though—it pays dividends in the real world for drivers as well:

• Lower fuel and maintenance costs
• Access to low-emission zones in urban areas
• Tax incentives and free or discounted tolls in some countries
• A quieter and more relaxed driving experience

Clean cars also play a significant role in improving urban air quality, particularly in densely populated cities like Paris, Barcelona, or Milan, where air pollution can reach dangerous levels on high-traffic days.

This shift towards greener vehicles also reflects government policy in Europe. France, Germany, and Britain are all working towards ending new petrol and diesel car sales by 2035. Urban areas are also hastening this process by encouraging EV charging infrastructure and banning dirty vehicles in urban areas.

Electric cars: clean and quiet

The face of the clean vehicle movement, electric vehicles (EVs) are gaining popularity all over Europe and elsewhere. Renault Zoe, Peugeot e-208, and Fiat 500e are becoming familiar sights in city streets nowadays.

They run solely on electricity stored in batteries, charged in a dedicated station or from home. Since they lack an exhaust pipe, when operated, they put out zero direct emissions. The electric motor also provides instant torque, so EVs are very responsive in stop-and-go city centre situations and very smooth to drive overall.

Charging infrastructure has come a long way. It’s common nowadays in many European nations to see a fast charger every 50 kilometers on high-speed roads. Apps provide real-time location of chargers, and a large number of hotels and shopping malls provide charging services to guests and mall visitors alike.

Moreover, modern EVs also provide features like remote climate control, adaptive cruise assist, and intelligent driving analytics, adding to a convenient and comfortable journey.

Hybrids: a practical step toward sustainability

For those who are not yet prepared to make a complete transition to electric, hybrid and plug-in hybrid cars provide a transition between conventional and clean motoring. They seamlessly switch between electricity and gasoline as needed, optimizing performance yet not sacrificing range.

Hybrids in cities travel on electricity under low-speed conditions, decreasing fuel consumption and noise. On highways, it reverts to engine usage, maintaining prolonged travel without needing a stop to charge. Plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) are charged using a common plug and are well suited for short trips or day excursions under 50 kilometers.

Hybrids are also well suited to rental—specifically with Europcar’s flexible rental terms, where drivers can select by distance, location, and usage purpose.

Discover Europcar’s hybrid and electric vehicle hire solutions to find out which model is suited to your trip.