9 Celebs Who Drive Green Cars (9 People Who Drive Gas Guzzlers)
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9 Celebs Who Drive Green Cars (9 People Who Drive Gas Guzzlers)

Being green is very fashionable now. At least that's the conclusion that comes from the fact that many celebrities are committed to promoting and supporting eco-friendly lifestyles and campaigns.

However, celebrity involvement in environmental issues is far from a new phenomenon. Brigitte Bardot was one of the world's biggest stars in the 1950s and 1960s, acclaimed as one of the most beautiful women of her generation and so famous that she was often referred to only by her initials BB. In 1973, at the age of only 39, she announced her retirement from film and modeling and instead dedicated the rest of her life to animal welfare.

Today's green celebrities have a long way to go before they can match Brigitte Bardot, but at least some of the biggest names in film, music and TV are doing their part to protect the environment by opting for hybrid cars, electric cars or cars. . even biofuel engines, they are all much better for Mother Earth than the old gasoline or diesel internal combustion engine.

However, for every Hollywood actor who loves the environment, there is another famous face who refuses to keep up with the times and still drives gas-guzzling SUVs. They can be considered a status symbol, but is their cool appearance really worth the damage they do to the environment?

18 Justin Bieber - Fisker Karma

Teen heartthrob Justin Bieber is an unlikely green activist; although in his case, the fact that he owns an electric car is likely due to the fact that the Fisker Karma is one of the more sought-after and exclusive sports cars than it is because it is environmentally friendly. The singer was given a car worth over $100,000 as an 18 year old.th a birthday present from fellow musician Usher, and immediately went and wrapped the car in chrome wrap and LED underbody lights - because the regular Fisker Karma isn't pretty enough, right?

If the cops spotted young Justin at night, he could be in trouble, as the state of California doesn't allow colored lights to be used on dashboards or car bodies.

Still, even if the law didn't approve Bieber's new wheels, at least those concerned about the environment would have to admit that even an electric car with a gaudy upgrade is better than some of the other cars in the singer's collection. , including the Ferrari F340, 997 Porsche Turbo and Lamborghini Aventador. While most young people had posters of these cars hanging on their bedroom walls, Bieber got to drive them all!

17 Robert Pattinson - Dodge Durango

Twilight actor Robert Pattinson may be from the UK, but since moving to the States, he has absorbed the best of the US auto industry. His incredibly popular vampire movie co-star Kristen Stewart has taken a different route by choosing to drive a very British Mini Cooper! Pattinson, or RPatz as his fans call him, drives a Dodge Durango around Los Angeles, where he now lives; A Dodge Durango that only gets about 17 mpg on those Hollywood Hills rides.

The Dodge Durango SUV isn't the only car in Pattinson's collection; he also owns a classic 1963 Chevrolet Nova, which is also hardly an environmentally ideal car.

It is clear that for celebrities from the second list, style is much more important than remorse. It's hard to know if celebrities like Robert Pattinson just didn't consider the environmental impact of their car decisions, or if they knew what they were doing and didn't care, or if even those celebrities who drive eco-friendly cars are doing it. because they genuinely care about Mother Earth or just because they want to look good in the eyes of their fans...

16 Paul McCartney - Lexus LS600h

Via luciazanetti.wordpress.com

Former Beatlesman Sir Paul McCartney is another Brit who has taken a liking to green car building. Not surprising given the fact that he has been a vegetarian for decades and has been a passionate environmental and animal rights activist throughout his later career. When Lennon and McCartney Wrote a Beatles Hit drive my carHowever, it is unlikely that Sir Paul imagined himself driving a luxurious Lexus LS600h.

In fact, the singer received an $84,000 car as a gift from Lexus as a thank you for the work he did to promote their hybrid cars, and the company even provided sponsorship for his 2005 year tour. Unfortunately, the lavish gift didn't go as well as Lexus had hoped; Sir Paul was clearly furious when he learned that the car had flown 7,000 miles from Japan to the UK, leaving a carbon footprint 100 times greater than if the car had been transported by sea. However, he wasn't angry enough to turn down the gift entirely and still uses his Lexus limousine to get around the UK and he continues to work for environmental causes whether they reward him with expensive luxury cars. !

15 Khloe Kardashian — Bentley Continental

Kim and Kylie aren't the only Kardashian-Jenner sisters who have chosen to drive a gas-guzzling car. Khloe Kardashian also drives a less than environmentally friendly car, although unlike the other celebrities on the list, she doesn't own an SUV but a very luxurious Bentley Continental convertible. This classic British motor is growing in popularity this side of the Atlantic thanks to its timeless, elegant style, reliable performance and clever marketing that have brought the brand to the attention of celebrities such as Chloe Kardashian, Tyrese Gibson and Cindy Crawford.

The Bentley Continental may look fantastic, but it was first built in the 1950s, at a time when no one had even heard of climate change or a carbon footprint; Building an environmentally friendly car wasn't a priority for Bentley back then, and it looks like it still is today - though the company is finally developing a hybrid version of its classic Continental due for release in 2018. Perhaps all these celebrities who seem to love the styling and engineering of the Bentley Continental so much that they decide to trade in their old-fashioned petrol versions for more eco-friendly hybrid models when they eventually become available?

14 Leonardo DiCaprio - Fisker Karma

If any contemporary celebrity comes close to Brigitte Bardot's commitment to the environment, it's actor Leonard DiCaprio. While Leo is far from giving up on his acting career - after all, he finally received that long-awaited Oscar statue in 2016 - he is well known for his support of environmental issues and campaigns, creating his own fund to support the conservation initiative and trying fighting climate change is not easy when climate change is in denial in the White House!

More importantly, DiCaprio puts his money into what he says drives eco-friendly cars rather than the SUVs more commonly seen in the Hollywood Hills.

For years, Leo has been regularly seen driving his Toyota Prius, the most beloved and best-selling hybrid car in the US, but in recent years he has upgraded his wheels without sacrificing his love for Mother Earth. Although he also owns an electric Fisker Karma (and loved the company so much he invested some of his money), his pride and joy is his Tesla roadster, another electric car, but one that will delight even speed freaks. In addition to being able to travel 250 km on a single charge, the Tesla Roadster can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in just 3.7 seconds.

13 Arnold Schwarzenegger - Hammer

When you've made a name for yourself playing action heroes (or villains) like Conan the Barbarian and the Terminator, you kind of have to pick a car that matches your macho image. Arnold Schwarzenegger lived up to all stereotypes about muscular Hollywood actors when he bought himself a bright yellow Hummer. In fact, the eye-catching yellow SUV was just one of Schwarzenegger's collection of Hummer trucks and SUVs, likely earning him the unwelcome title of Hollywood's most polluting celebrity in the early 21st century.st century.

The Hummer H1, modeled after the US military Humvee armored vehicle, only gets about 10 mpg; so not only are they bad for the environment, they're also very bad for your wallet - not that Arnie needs to worry about that sort of thing. While his collection of Hummers rightfully earns him a place on the list of celebrities who ride gas guzzlers, Arnie saw the error of his ways by converting one of his Hummers to run on hydrogen when he was governor of California and most recently became involved in Kriesel Electric's project to design and build an all-electric Hummer, a prototype of which was launched in 2017.

12 Cameron Diaz - Toyota Prius

Cameron Diaz was friends with her Gangs of New York co-star of Leonard DiCaprio for years, and it seems that his fight for the environment also had a positive impact on Diaz's own driving choices. Diaz has long been a fan of the Toyota Prius and has always been keen to extol the virtues of a hybrid car whenever the opportunity presents itself. It was at a British car show. Home The outfit Diaz first spoke about was driving a Prius, and during an appearance on The Jay Leno Show, the actress was keen to show off the amazing efficiency of her new favorite car, which hits an impressive 53 mpg.

Toyota Prius has become a popular car among celebrities who want to showcase their environmental friendliness; fellow actors Natalie Portman, Matt Damon, Harrison Ford and Jennifer Aniston are regularly seen driving their Prius. The car is also a hit with regular American drivers, becoming the best-selling hybrid car in the US and selling more than 1.6 million vehicles from its launch in April 2000 to May 2016. Toyota is proving to be the king of hybrids, with over 10 million sales of 33 different hybrid models as of February 2017.

11 Nicole Scherzinger - Mercedes GL350 Bluetec

Former Pussycat Doll Nicole Scherzinger has made her fortune with her musical ability, but at least part of her success has to do with the way she looks and her sense of style. When the world's paparazzi are always around to catch you with a bad haircut, it's easy to see why celebrities like Sherzi grab onto sturdy SUVs to get them safely from point A to point B. It's easier to avoid photographers in a Mercedes GL350 Bluetec with tinted windows. than in the environmentally friendly Nissan Leaf. Plus, you need plenty of room for your bodyguards or your boyfriend's ego (if her once again, then again, Formula 350 beau Lewis Hamilton will be riding something as mundane as a Mercedes GL XNUMX Bluetec).

At least Nicole is showing some brand loyalty - Lewis races for Team Mercedes in Grand Prix racing - even if the GL350 Bluetec is at the end of the field when it comes to the environment. The bulky SUV only gets 19 mpg when you're cruising the city, while its highway performance is only marginally better at 26 mpg. Although even this is quite impressive compared to the numbers of Formula 3 cars that only go on mpg!

10 Alyssa Milano - Nissan Leaf and Chevy Volt

Alyssa Milano made a name for herself in the 1980s and 1990s by starring in a hugely successful sitcom. Who is the boss here? with Tony Danza. Although her public profile may have waned after her childhood successes, Milano is still a recognizable figure in the US, both for her activism and campaigning, and for her playing in the present day.

She is a vegetarian and has been featured in PETA ad campaigns and was also active in the AIDS campaign in the 1980s when she befriended Ryan White, an Indiana high school student who was banned from school after contracting HIV from a blood transfusion. .

Milano's benevolent attitude apparently continues to this day, as the actress drives not one electric car, but two; Nissan Leaf and Chevrolet Volt. Reportedly, when she went to buy an electric car in 2011 to reduce her own carbon footprint, Milano simply couldn't decide between the two cars and so decided she would just buy them both! It's easy to see why Milano had such a hard time choosing between the Nissan Leaf, a compact car, and the Chevrolet Volt, a more spacious sedan. Unfortunately for us mortals, buying two cars from a dealership is rare.

9 Dwight Howard - Conquest XV

Sports stars have a certain reputation when it comes to their cars. These young people who suddenly find they have the financial means to buy any car they want tend to go too far when they get to the dealership, always choosing the biggest and most powerful car they can find. and then spend another one. a little luck has modified it to make it even more imposing, or leave its own imprint on its appearance.

Baseball star Robinson Cano bought himself a golden Ferrari; boxer Floyd Mayweather bought one of two Koenigsegg CCXR Trevitas for $4.8 million; and Dwight Howard topped them both by shelling out $800,000 for the ridiculously huge Conquest Knight XV.

Inspired by military vehicles like the Humvee, the Conquest Knight XV looks more like a tank than an SUV; it weighs nearly nine tons, stands over 6 feet tall, and is wider than the Lamborghini Aventador. In fact, why Howard needed a road-legal, rideable tank was never explained - and parking must have been a nightmare - but who cares about the environment if an overpaid player can look cool on the way to the game. . ?

8 Jay Leno - Chevrolet Volt

Via greencarreports.com

Talk show host Jay Leno has always had a reputation for being a fan of American muscle cars, which are not particularly known for their environmental friendliness. His extensive car collection includes a 1970 Dodge Challenger, a 1963 Jaguar E-Type Coupe and a 1986 Lamborghini Countach that Leno uses every time he drives and has 70,000 miles on it. So what does Leno do on the list of celebrities who drive green and not on the list of celebrities who drive gas guzzlers? Well, because he recently added to his collection, including the stunning 2014 McLaren P1, one of the 375 hybrid hypercar models ever built and the first to arrive in the US.

Considering it's not the kind of car you take for a ride very often, Leno has also invested in a hybrid car that's a bit more affordable, though probably not as fun to drive; Chevrolet Volt. He received his Chevy Volt in 2010 with a full tank of gas. A year later, Leno drove his Volt 11,000 for 12 miles without filling the tank once. In fact, in 11,000 months and XNUMX miles, he used up less than half a tank of gas, and the rest of his trips were completely green electricity.

7 Victoria Beckham - Range Rover Evoque

Via beautyandthedirt.com

Since it wasn't too bad that Mr. Beckham drove a gas-guzzling, polluting car when he and his family lived in Los Angeles, it turns out that Mrs. Beckham also chose to drive a less environmentally friendly set of wheels; Range Rover Ewok. Given her reputation as one of the most stylish women in the world, it's understandable that Victoria Beckham chose her car based on how it looks (and whether it matches her clothes) rather than worrying about something silly like fuel economy. or emissions.

Victoria, known as Posh Spice when she was a member of the pop group the Spice Girls, actually helped design the exterior and interior of limited edition Range Rover Evoques, of which only 200 were built, selling for $110,000 in new condition. While Victoria may have put her own spin on the matte gray trim, tanned leather seats and black alloy wheels with rose gold detailing, she had no say in the development of the limited edition Evoque, which was just as gas-hungry. like the standard model. . The Evoque only gets 27 mpg in the city and only 41 mpg on the highway.

6 Paris Hilton - Cadillac Escalade

Given her reputation as a self-absorbed person, it may come as a surprise to learn that socialite, IT girl and TV presenter Paris Hilton drives a hybrid car. She was pictured driving a hybrid Cadillac Escalade after swapping out her old petrol SUV for a greener version. The Escalade is actually the perfect car for celebrities who want to look the part but also want to limit their carbon footprint.

After all, the Cadillac Escalade in its original gas-powered form is one of the best-selling SUVs with enough luxury features to make it a sought-after car in Hollywood.

The hybrid version of the Escalade looks just as good, and while you might lose a little in performance (and you'll have to remember to turn it on every night you get home), it doesn't really matter for driving the city streets of Los Angeles and its more exclusive suburbs. The understated black Cadillac Escalade was a huge change from Paris' previous car acquisitions; just months before she was photographed driving her hybrid, she bought herself a pink Bentley Continental that she had customized by the MTV team. Drive my car.

5 David Beckham - Jeep Wrangler

Another sports star who has relied on style over sustainability is football star David Beckham. In his native UK, football players are like American sports stars; they are often paid too much money only to end up buying ridiculously expensive cars they may not need. In fact, Bentleys are often seen in the parking lots of football fields across the UK, so perhaps it's actually something of a blessing that Becks went out and bought himself a Jeep Wrangler.

Beckham bought his $40,000 Jeep Wrangler while playing for LA Galaxy in the MLS, and was frequently photographed by the paparazzi cruising around Los Angeles with the top down, enjoying the California sun.

Of course, as we all know, Los Angeles is one of the most polluted cities in the US, thanks in no small part to its extensive highway network and its residents' love of gas-guzzling SUVs and sports cars. Beckham's Jeep Wrangler may have been just one car among hundreds of thousands of vehicles, but its poor mpg performance (15 mpg city and 19 mpg highway) would only exacerbate the city's pollution problems.

4 Woody Harrelson - VW Beetle Biodiesel

Another celebrity with a "green" reputation, actor Woody Harrelson drives a car that can be called the most hippie car ever created. The VW Beetle was a vehicle that was adopted by the earth-loving original hippies of the 1960s and 1970s (long before anyone cared about climate change and carbon footprints), but Woody uses biodiesel for his car, not standard polluting diesel fuel. Any diesel car can run on biodiesel, which is made from vegetable and animal oils and is much less polluting than standard fuel.

The use of biodiesel is on the rise in the US, and in the UK the government has mandated that all diesel sold at its gas stations must contain at least 5% biodiesel. There are four different types of biodiesel available in America; B2, which is 2% biodiesel and 98% conventional fuel; B5, a 5/95% blend sold in the UK; 20% biodiesel and 80% diesel fuel labeled B20; and finally B100, a fuel that is 100% biodiesel. This is the latest option that Cheers star Harrelson uses on his VW Beetle when he actually drives it. He spends most of his time in Hawaii and prefers to get around the island by bike.

3 Prince Charles - Aston Martin DB5 Bioethanol

If you think it's impressive that the President of the United States chose an eco-friendly car, then you'll be amazed by the news that a member of the British royal family is also a fan of eco-friendly cars. In fact, if you know anything about Prince Charles, Queen Elizabeth's eldest son and heir to the British throne, it won't surprise you that one of his cars is an Aston Martin DB5 powered by bioethanol.

Unlike biodiesel, which can be used in conventional diesel-powered cars, cars must be specially built or adapted to run on bioethanol, a fuel made from the fermentation of sugar.

Not only are bioethanol-powered cars less carbon dioxide polluting, but the crops needed to produce bioethanol—wheat, corn, and maize, among others—actually help absorb the small amount of carbon dioxide that is produced. Prince Charles' Aston Martin is actually powered by bio-ethanol produced from the remains of plants in an English vineyard; yes, the heir to the British throne drives a car that runs on wine. He originally got a classic car like 21st a birthday present from the Queen and was later converted to run on cleaner fuels.

2 Kim Kardashian - Mercedes-Benz G Wagen

If you're going to buy a gas-guzzling SUV, then you can buy a true classic. The Mercedes-Benz G Wagen was first built for the German military back in the early 1970s - a story that is very evident in the Jeep-like boxy styling of the G Wagen, but it has only been available in the US market since 2002. , after which it became one of the most popular luxury SUVs, especially popular among celebrities.

Although, given the G Wagen's $200,000 price tag, it's a bit out of reach for most regular families anyway!

Notable wearers include members of the royal family in the ever-chic Queen Rania of Jordan, singer Hilary Duff and Kim Kardashian, and her half-sister Kylie Jenner, whose personalized model features velvet upholstery and personalized hoods with the "K" emblem. Thanks to the Kardashian family's weird naming traditions, at least she can pass it on to one of her sisters if she ever gets bored - or if she decides to start driving a more environmentally friendly car than the G Wagen, which only goes 17 miles. up to a gallon in the city and 25 mpg on the highway.

1 Shaquille O'Neal - F650 Super Truck XUV

However, even Dwight Howard's wannabe tank isn't the most ridiculous gas-guzzling car owned by a super-rich NBA player. That dubious honor goes to the great Shaquille O'Neal, who bought himself a Ford F650 Super Truck XUV (which stands for Xtreme Utility Vehicle) and then modified it to fit both his 7ft frame and his dubious taste. For a heavy-duty super truck, the Ford F650 Super Truck isn't really all that expensive - base models start at around $64,000, but Shaq's version cost him around $125,000 due to all the modifications and additions he wanted for his vehicle.

A Ford F13 Super Truck that gets just 650 mpg will never win any environmental awards, but it must be said that Shaq's decision to get a Terminator-style paint job won't win any prizes. also in the design department. However, a guy the size of Shaka will simply never fit comfortably in a normal people's car, so maybe we can excuse him for buying an oversized gas guzzler for medical reasons? What we can't forgive him for is that he took a pretty cool Ford truck and gave it a goofy look.

Sources: nationalgeographic.com, biodiesel.org, autoevolution.com, jalopnik.com.

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