Hybrids, EVs Shine at the Frankfurt Motor Show

The prevailing theme at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show has been all about green. Indeed, the cars that received the most attention - and that set attendees abuzz with excitement - almost entirely consisted of green, eco-friendly vehicles. From the Hyundai i10 to the Kia Venga, car manufacturers set out to prove to the world once more that they are serious about contributing to the health of the planet. For environmentally conscious consumers, this is all good news and serves to highlight the growing acceptance - and, some would say, inevitability - of truly Earth-friendly, green vehicles down the line. Below, we highlight a few of the true standout models among the many green offerings at this year's show.

The Hyundai i10 Electric Car

With global production slated to begin in 2012 - and fleet leasing commencing just around the corner in 2010 - the Hyundai i10 (pictured left) is one all-electric vehicle that has many people tremendously excited. The incredibly small car mimics the appearance and overall construction of its gas engine counterpart, but the all-electric model relies on a 16 kwh battery pack that lasts for up to 99 miles when fully charged. Better yet, the Hyundai i10 electric car is capable of maintaining speeds of up to 81mph. The bad news? As with many electric vehicles, the cost of the battery is prohibitively expensive and is actually higher than the price of the entire gas engine version put together.

The Ford Focus ECOnetic

Despite the surprising fact that the Ford ECOnetic won't be released in the United States for the time being, its presence at the Frankfurt Motor Show was, well, electrifying. This nifty offering by the Big Three automaker promises to achieve up to 74 miles per gallon - a figure that gives other major green vehicle contenders a real run for their money. The biggest reason why the ECOnetic won't be released in the United States is that it runs on diesel fuel. New technology has made using diesel much cleaner; in many cases, it's even cleaner than using gasoline. However, automakers in the U.S. remain wary of introducing a vehicle that uses the fuel, despite its much higher fuel efficiency. Either way, the Ford Focus ECOnetic is a very exciting step in the right direction for green vehicles.

The Kia Venga

Another vehicle that took the spotlight at Frankfurt but that is reserved for release in Europe only is the Kia Venga (pictured near right). Its slick exterior is sure to win over those concerned about driving a fashionable vehicle; it seats up to five people, too, making it more practical than many other subcompact vehicles on the market today. Although regular gasoline versions of the car will be available, two different diesel versions are what have so many people excited, since they offer exceptional gas mileage capabilities.

The Toyota Prius PHV

Perhaps the biggest splash at the Frankfurt Motor Show was made by the official debut of the highly anticipated Toyota Prius PHV. As a plug-in vehicle, this latest version of the Prius - otherwise modeled largely after the third-generation version - uses a lithium ion battery and offers users the ability to drive up to twelve full miles on electric power only. At the same time, the car will use electric power only while still warming up, which is when the most damaging pollutants are typically generated with a gas engine. Finally, the Toyota Prius PHV can be recharged by being plugged in to a standard wall outlet - something that is sure to please many discerning car buyers.

The BMW ActiveHybrid X6

One vehicle introduced at the Frankfurt Motor Show is being billed as the "most powerful hybrid in the world": the BMW ActiveHybrid X6. This gas-electric model is being marketed to people who want to engine high performance vehicles while maintaining as Earth-friendly of a bearing as possible. Despite its incredible power - the X6 boasts 480 peak horsepower capabilities - this car is slated to feature a combined mileage of 18mpg in the United States. That characteristic will put it head and shoulders above the competition, as no other vehicle approaching that kind of horsepower can hope to match such incredible gas mileage capabilities.

The Reva NXR

Boasting what's being called an "invisible reserve fuel tank," the Reva NXR takes plug in capabilities to the next level. The technology behind this ultra green vehicle is complex, but relies on electromagnetic fields that charge without the use of a plug. It's just one more example of the exciting new green technologies that are being developed every single day around the world.