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3 Best Green Cars in the Middle East

A look at the Real Time Air Quality Index Visual Map of the UAE will show alarming levels of air

pollution.

In this day and age, the effects of pollution are well known in the international community, especially

with all the press Beijing is getting concerning its appallingly high levels of smog.

It will be a shock to then learn that UAE has reached the same toxic levels of smog found in Beijing. In an

earlier study, it was found that the deaths of at least 850 people can be linked to air pollution. A look at

the Real Time Air Quality Index Visual Map of the UAE will show alarming levels of air pollution. While

authorities debate on how to handle the pollution levels; every citizen can play their part by decreasing

their carbon footprint. The easiest way to achieve that would be to start driving hybrids aka green cars,

as they were also highlighted as a potential solution during the Going Green with UAE Environmental

Festival.

A hybrid car works by utilising the kinetic energy produced by the gasoline engine to charge the built in

electric battery, so when you run out of petrol or go over 40 KPH the car can still run using its electric

otor ithout produ i g a pollutio . So ithout further ado, let’s look at so e of the est h rids available in the Middle East.

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2014 Toyota Camry Hybrid Sedan

The Camry was initially only available for Taxis in the UAE but is now commercial available. The 2014

mid spec car has a 156 HP 2.5L 4-Cylinder engine that is coupled with an electric motor effectively

increasing the HP to 200. This sedan has another unique way of charging its battery; it uses special

regenerative brakes that start charging whenever the brake pedal is pressed. It offers a good fuel

consumption of 6.8L/100Kms, but one area where it falls short, like others hybrids, is its insufficient fuel

efficiency on highways. It features all the bells and whistles like AC, Stereos, touch screen LCD, that one

can expect from a new sedan, and at the price of AED 94,000 it is a worthy consideration.

2014 Fisker Karma

One of the first hybrid cars to be sold in the Middle East, this Danish designed & Finnish assembled

luxury car looks powerful and more suited to a spy movie than the roads of the Middle East. This 4 door,

4 seater car runs solely on electric power and takes 6 hours to fully charge its battery for a 80 km trip.

For backup, it is fitted with a 2.0L turbocharged 4 cylinder engine that charges the electric motor

repeatedly to give it 400km or more extra range. A special feature of this hybrid is solar panels on its

roof that are used to power the automatic AC in the car. It can alternatively be driven in sports mode

where the car is powered by petrol rather than electric-only mode.

The car is available for AED 565,000, but the automaker is in financial trouble these days, so if after sales

service is an issue then this is not a viable option.

2014 Tesla Model S Sedan

If you are looking for a hybrid that performs like a normal sports car then the 2014 Tesla Model S is for

ou. Wi er of the Co su er Report’s Best O erall ategor a d the Motor Tre d Car of the Year award, it is available in 3 trims i.e 60, 85 & P85. It means, the Tesla Model S is available in 3 battery

options; 60 kWh, 85 kWh and 85+ kWh which reach speeds of 193 kph, 201 kph and 209 kph,

respectively. It goes from 0-60 in 5.9secs, 5.4secs and 4.2 secs according to the trims.

The 60 trim generates 302 hp (225 kW) 5,000-8,000 rpm, for the 85 its 362 hp (270 kW) 6,000-9,500 rpm

and the 85 Performance has 416 hp (310 kW) 5,000-8,600 rpm. The price for the 85 Performance is

appro i atel AED 9 , a d is urre tl the arket’s fa ourite. With features like the Tesla

Supercharger which refills half the battery in as little as 20 minutes, 2 usb charging ports, 5 adult seats +

2 child seats and 63.4cubic feet of storage space, Tesla is the best in its class.

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So which is the best hybrid car to get if you are living in the Middle East. If budget is a problem then the

Toyota Camry is a good option, otherwise look no further than the 2014 Tesla Model S Sedan. Although

it costs more than double the Camry, the features and technology it boasts are worth it. Where hybrids

are otorious for ei g it ars as their ele tri e gi es do ’t suit high a s, the Telsa Model S overcomes that hurdle with pure power. Speeds near 200 Kph, zero emissions and noiseless engines

make S Sedan the most demanding hybrid in 2014.