BMW i4

This baby screams “Beamer.” It’s got the classic look of the luxury brand, and might be right at home zipping down the Autobahn. But if you are going to shell out this much for a premium German car, you may be disappointed by the handling,according to Motortrend, which cautioned “the steering feels disconnected at points.” BMW has a relatively strong sustainability record and is building more sustainable and ethical supply chains than many other auto companies, according to Lead the Charge.

Mercedes EQS

This luxury sedan boasts longer battery range than many EVs — and a high price tag. The car’s software “learns your face and fingerprint” and can tell who is speaking to it, Mercedes says.Motortrend reviewers criticized the “blob-like” appearance and the lack of a front trunk but praised the comfort, the onboard technology and the “unnatural cornering abilities.” Mercedes gets some of the highest marks from Lead the Charge for building fossil-free and ethical supply chains. But the EQS was found by GreenerCars to carry a heavier environmental footprint than many other electric sedans.

Polestar 2

The Polestar 2 is the first Chinese-manufactured EV to start catching on in the United States, a sign of that country’s lofty EV ambitions. Some U.S. buyers said they like the car’s pickup and appearance and chose it because they didn’t have to wait long to get one delivered. Polestar only went public recently, so Lead the Charge did not have the corporate filings needed to rate its sustainability, but its emissions per mile is relatively high.

Lucid Air

The Lucid AIR goes in a very different direction than all those luxury EVs from legacy brands hawking electric cars that look and feel very much like the gas model. Lucid is a start-up with Silicon Valley genes, and this high-end vehicle is aimed squarely at early adopters. Its signature feature is a battery that will carry you 516 miles down the highway. Lucid did not have a large enough market share to make it into Lead the Charge rankings.

Porsche Taycan

It costs HOW much? As they say, if you have to ask, you probably can’t afford it. But once you step on the pedal, this thing is going to shoot down the highway like a rocket, with Motortrend reporting “it feels and drives like a Porsche should.” Porsche did not have a large enough market share to make it into Lead the Charge rankings. The Taycan is the company’s only all-electric vehicle on the market.

Tesla Model 3

One of the most capable EVs at this price point. This sedan has built a reputation for being peppy, smooth and quiet. It has been around since 2017 and remains one of the most popular EVs on the market. Car and Driver calls it “the Tesla for the masses.” Despite Tesla’s reputation as the EV pioneer, the company’s sustainability scores with Lead the Charge are not particularly high.

Tesla Model S

If you’ve got six figures to spend on an EV, this premium Tesla is worth a look. It’s got quite a range and Tesla says the top model will propel you from zero to 60 in 2 seconds. But competitors, such as Porsche and Lucid, are fast closing in. The company’s weak disclosure record on emissions and sourcing of materials moved Lead the Charge to rate a half dozen other auto companies higher.

Chevrolet Bolt EV

The smaller of Chevy’s two electric Bolt models is one of the lowest-priced EVs in the United States. That, and its presence on the market since 2016, have helped it attract a loyal following, despite some setbacks including a 2021 recall after roughly a dozen battery fires. The U.S.-manufactured Bolt EV had its best sales year ever in 2022, after General Motors made steep cuts to the sticker price. But General Motors is not keeping pace with several competitors in transitioning to more sustainable materials, according to Lead the Charge, which says it still has work to do.

Hyundai Ioniq 5

This South Korean EV with a futuristic look is one of the top-selling imported EVs in the United States. Ivy Smith, a professional stunt driver hired to whiz Washington Auto Show attendees around a track in the vehicle, said she appreciated its speed and safety features. “I’ve driven Tesla, all the models. I’ve driven an i8, I’ve driven a Prius. I kind of like this one,” she said of the Ioniq 5. One drawback: The car doesn’t qualify for the $7,500 federal tax credit because it is made outside of North America. Lead the Charge finds the company’s record lacking in the areas of where and how it sources its materials. Most auto companies performed better.

Kia EV6

Kia says this EV can charge 70 percent of its battery in 18 minutes at a fast charger, making it speedier than some other electric vehicles. Buyers say it is roomy inside and has a quiet, comfortable ride. Kia has room for improvement on sustainability. It gets some of the lowest marks in the industry from Lead the Charge, which found the company’s policies for sourcing steel, aluminum and battery components vague.

Mini Cooper SE

This set of wheelsbuilds the signature Mini lookinto a modestly powered vessel. The biggest drawback is its paltry range of 114 miles. Mini was excluded from Lead the Charge’s sustainability rankings due to its small EV market share. The brand’s parent company, BMW, did receive high scores but the sourcing and production methods for Mini are not necessarily the same. The Cooper SE won a lot of praise from GreenerCars, which ranked it the greenest car of 2023 due to its environmental footprint in comparison with other vehicles.

Nissan Leaf

This hatchback is one of the oldest EV models on the market. You don’t buy it for the cool factor, but it remains a draw for urban dwellers running errands and EV-curious suburbanites who don’t want to break the bank. The company is not impressing sustainability advocates, with Lead the Charge rating it as a laggard on sourcing for steel and battery components. But the Leaf’s efficiency continues to impress GreenerCars, which ranked it the second-most green car in 2023, behind the Mini Cooper EV.

Volvo C40 Recharge

The sturdy station-wagon brand of the gasoline era has transitioned to the electric age with this crossover vehicle and its taller SUV cousin, the XC40 Recharge. Like the electric Polestar brand, Volvo Cars is headquartered in Sweden and controlled by Chinese billionaire Li Shufu, who is pushing to build a global EV empire. Motortrend said the crossover had an attractive design and powerful motor, but less range and slower charging than competitors. Volvo has put a heavy emphasis on sustainability, and it is reflected in its Lead the Charge rating, which is the third highest of all automakers the group surveyed.

Volkswagen VW ID.4

This small SUV is a good fit for devotees of the VW Tiguan. The battery range on lower end models is just average and there are other small EVs that provide a sportier driving experience. Like most European automakers, VW scores better than average on sustainability with Lead the Charge. It is making more progress than many other companies in tracking and improving its supply chains, and setting targets for the future.

Audi Q8 e-tron

This ride has most of the trimmings of the Audi SUV gas models: quiet cabin, notablepep, and that signature Audi design. It’s also got some serious hauling capacity and cool tech in the cockpit. Lead the Charge only provided sustainability ratings for parent company Volkswagen, which are strong. The Q8 e-tron models are not listed on the GreenerCars environmental impact ratings, but the organization said the model is similar to the e-tron quattro, which it ranked as “above average.”

Audi Q4 e-tron

This has Audi trappings with a somewhat more down-to-earth price tag than the brand’s more expensive EV models. It packs in the cutting edge gadgetry and premium features, with impressive range to boot. But it is a more compact offering and the cargo space may disappoint those looking to pack the trunk. Lead the Charge credits Audi’s parent company, Volkswagen, with taking steps to source its steel, aluminum and battery materials in environmentally responsible ways, but wants the company to take more aggressive strides in the area.

BMW iX

With a fast-charging battery that can take you 300 miles on a charge and a jazzy infotainment system, this should be an easy transition for lovers of luxury SUVs, albeit with a steeper price tag. BMW is another European automaker with a relatively strong sustainability record. Lead the Charge identifies it as off to a stronger start than many other auto companies in building sustainable and ethical supply chains.

Chevrolet Bolt EUV

The Bolt EUV is the larger of Chevy’s two Bolt models, which together were General Motors’s top-selling EV franchise in the United States last year. The SUV and its smaller sister, the Bolt EV, have some of the lowest starting prices on the U.S. electric market. For an entry-level electric vehicle, the Bolt EUV comes with nice interior technologies including a 10-inch touch screen on the dash and Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, Motortrend said. Top trim levels can include Chevy’s Super Cruise hands-free driving system. Parent company GM’s promise to stop making gas-powered cars by 2035 got a lot of attention. But GM ranksas a laggard in the Lead the Charge ratings, with significant work to do in finding sustainable materials and disclosing how it is going about it.

Ford Mustang Mach-E

Stamping the Mustang brand on this four-door EV has caused some grumbling among devotees of the gas-powered original, who complain that the vehicles look nothing alike. Still the Mach-E is winning fans, who say they like the handling and the quiet, comfortable ride. The company ranks as an industry leader under Lead the Charge scoring, which highlights its efforts to source aluminum and battery components responsibly.

Hyundai Kona EV

More expensive than a Chevy Bolt and less expensive than Hyundai’s Ioniq 5, the Kona EV is the electric version of the South Korean automaker’s small gas-poweredSUV. Consumer Reports said the EV has “nimble handling” but a “stiff” ride. Lead the Charge finds the company’s record lacking in where and how it sources its materials. Most auto companies performed better. But this vehicle gets high marks from GreenerCars for its fuel economy and emissions profile, earning a spot on its dozen greenest cars of 2023 list.

Kia Niro EV

Smaller and less expensive than Kia’s EV6, the Niro still has an interior that is “appreciably spacious and practical,” according to Motortrend reviewers, who judged the vehicle’s ride “a bit too stiff.” They added that the car has a “reasonable” range, but that it doesn’t charge as quickly as some rivals. Kia gets some of the lowest marks in theEV industry from Lead the Charge, based on the company’s policies for sourcing steel, aluminum and battery components.

Tesla Model Y

This functional crossover with the glass roof dominates EV sales. About 300,000 of them are on the road. It gives you access to the expansive Tesla charging network, lots of cabin space and some interesting tech. Worried about being an EV guinea pig as all the other brands are finally getting around to making the transition? This one is no newcomer. The company’s weak disclosure record on emissions and sourcing of materials moved Lead the Charge to give a low rating.

Tesla Model X

The falcon style doors, the unorthodox steering yoke, and the promise of Autosteer for city settings (Tesla is still working on it) give this car “Back to the Future” vibes. It’s fast but also an SUV, with room for a third row of seats for the kids. The company’s weak disclosure record on emissions and sourcing of materials moved Lead the Charge to rate the company poorly, though it does give Tesla points for working to rid human rights abuses from its supply chain.

Volvo XC40 Recharge

If you are looking for an electric SUV that also allows you to ask Google for directions and music, the XC40 could be for you. Motortrend called it quick, stylish and quiet but criticized its relatively limited range. Volvo has put a heavy emphasis on sustainability, and it is reflected in its Lead the Charge rating, which is the third highest of all automakers graded. The company has become an industry leader in working to source sustainable steel, aluminum and battery components.

Ford F-150 Lightning

Ford’s F-series truck has been America’s best selling vehicle for decades. The Detroit automaker is hoping to keep its good thing going with the electric version, which has a long waiting list. The pickup stands out for its massive front trunk that even includes a drain so owners can fill it with ice and use it as a cooler. One drawback: the Lightning struggles to tow as well as its gas-fired predecessor. Ford ranks as an industry leader under Lead the Charge scoring, which highlights its efforts to source aluminum and battery components responsibly. However, a recent Bloomberg investigation traced much of the aluminum in the F-150 to a refinery in Brazil accused of sickening thousands of people.

Rivian R1T

With its striking looks and off-roading capabilities, Rivian’s electric truck has a long waiting list of well heeled buyers. Motortrend reviewers called it “the electric truck of the future,” saying “no other truck on the market can match its combination of on-road agility and off-road prowess.” Rivian, founded by MIT graduate R.J. Scaringe, says it is building a network of fast-charging stations at 600 locations in the U.S. and Canada that are 100 percent powered by renewable energy. The chargers, for Rivian drivers only, can add up to 140 miles of range in 20 minutes, the company says.The company did not get ranked by Lead the Charge, due to its small market share.