8 Green Cars for St. Patty's Day

St. Patrick's Day is upon us, and everything's going green. While you may be more focused on your shamrock necktie or bright green tights, the automotive world is taking green to the next level. And environmentally friendly transportation means big business for these lucky automotive outfits. You can read 'em in a pinch, so go ahead and check out these eight green cars (the greenest in all of Ireland) for all your St. Patty's Day motoring needs.

1. REVA Electric Car

   GreenAer is an Irish organization focused on fostering awareness and sales of environmentally friendly modes of transport. They're big proponents of the REVA, an economical electric car with a crazy rad turning radius and several easy options for charging. You're in luck, Europe — this green vehicle is priced right, starting at €11,500.

2. Toyota Auris Hybrid

   Sold as a European replacement for the Corolla hatchback, the Auris hybrid is one of Ireland's favorite sellers. Reasonably priced, environmentally friendly, and packed with features, the Auris hybrid is a solid choice for the price and expected longevity of the vehicle. And with Toyota Ireland sponsoring ECO-UNESCO's "Clubs in Action" program, a portion of your dollars (or, euros, as it were) go to help kids' community projects focused on micro-environmentalism.

3. Volkswagen BlueMotion Polo

   The Volkswagen BlueMotion Polo is another reasonably priced eco-friendly favorite of the Irish. This diesel car knocks the Toyota Prius and the Honda Insight out of the water in terms of fuel efficiency, but isn't a favorite in terms of power performance, with its three-cylinder engine and wonky gearshift indicator.

4. Skoda Fabia Estate Greenline

   One of the larger green vehicles, the Skoda Estate GreenLine is a sensible choice for family transportation. The newest version, the GreenLine II, offers even more eco-features, making it the most environmentally friendly member of the Skoda family. Low prices, fuel economy, and versatile usability make the Estate GreenLine and GreenLine II good bets for any European trying to "green" up their commute.

5. SEAT Ibiza 1.4 TDi Ecomotive

   Called a supermini, the SEAT Ibiza, a cousin of Volkswagen, was named one of the 100 most reliable cars of the past decade, according to a GizMag article. And with the Irish getting a tax break for how "green" their engines are, these little eco-wonders are selling well.

6. Opel Corsa 1.3 CDTi

   Newer models of the Opel Corsa, another favorite brand of the Irish, come equipped with "ecotec" engines. These cars aren't known for their beauty of design, but their practical usage platforms make them a favorite of their owners. Partnering with GM Gamma and Fiat, what Opel cars lack in blockbuster sales, they make up for in loyal customers.

7. Toyota iQ

   With the i short for "intelligence," "innovation," and "individuality," and the Q referencing "quality," the Toyota iQ is the company's answer to the Smart ForTwo. This cute, environmentally friendly compact hatchback is a favorite of the Irish, as well as the rest of Europe and Japan — it won Japan's Car of The Year in 2008.

8. Renault Clio dCi 86

   With its slogan reading "Elle a Tout d'une Grande" (the small car with big attributes), this small, comfortable car has a reputation for being simple to handle and utilitarian (read: basic). The engine is capable of running on alternative fuels, and the Clio is a favorite of green drivers worldwide.

Taken From Car Insurance Quotes