10 Cities With The 'Greenest' Cars 

 

1. San Francisco, CA

The San Francisco metropolitan area (including Oakland and San Jose) boasts the highest concentration of hybrid and full-electric cars according to R.L. Polk & Co. data, with hybrids accounting for 9.4 percent and electrics representing 0.52 percent of all vehicle registrations.

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iStock/Ron and Patty Thomas Photography

 

2. Monterey, CA

In Monterey, known for its historic missions and Fisherman's Wharf, hybrid cars comprise 8.84 percent of all vehicle registrations, with electric cars at 0.26 percent.

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3. Eugene, OR

Centered around the University of Oregon, 7.89 percent of all vehicles in Eugene are hybrids, while 0.15 percent are electric cars. 

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Courtesy of University of California, Santa Barbara

 

4. Santa Barbara, CA

Home to the University of California at Santa Barbara, 7.50 percent of all registered vehicles in this affluent and educated area are hybrids, while 0.35 percent are full electrics. 

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5. San Diego, CA

San Diego's hybrid-car owners are responsible for 7.13 percent of all registered vehicles, with electric vehicle owners accounting for 0.34 percent of all cars in the city.

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6. Eureka, CA

While only 2,783 vehicles are registered in this picturesque California city, according to R.L. Polk & Co., 6.97 percent of them are hybrids with 0.18 percent of them electric cars. 

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7. Los Angeles, CA

The City of Angels is notoriously car-centric, with 6.62 percent of all models registered being hybrids, with 0.20 percent full-electric models.

8. Chico, CA

Home to California State University, 6.06 percent of all registered vehicles in Chico are hybrid-powered, while 0.17 percent run entirely on batteries.

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9. Palm Springs, CA

This giant statue of actress Marilyn Monroe not withstanding, hybrids account for 6.03 percent of all cars registered in Palm Springs, California, with 0.12 percent being full electric models.

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10. Portland, OR

Situated near the confluence of the Willamette and Columbia rivers, 5.95 percent of all cars registered in Portland are hybrids, while 0.28 percent are all-electric.