THE TOP 10 CELEBRITY ELECTRIC CAR OWNERS

By Will Dron

Apr 14, 2011at 12:53PM

Under News, Top Tens

The rich and the famous are a fickle bunch. Their public images – and, as a result, careers – depend on riding the waves of the latest trends.

The cars they drive are as much about personal PR as practicality, so its no wonder that many of the same people who, ten years ago, were climbing into the then eco-tastic Toyota Prius hybrid are now opting for pure electric vehicles.

Here’s a selection of 10 celebrities who’ve chosen to go electric. Darling.

1. Alyssa Milano
Known for: Bewitching teen viewers in Charmed

This actress/songstress is said to have recently ordered a Nissan LEAF. She says: “After the oil spill, I had this strong feeling that if I ever were able to be blessed in having children, I never wanted my kids to see me pumping gas at a gas station. I think it’s our responsibility to make the changes that we need to make, regardless of convenience. I know it’s more inconvenient to have an electric car, but I’ll do what I have to do.” We think it’ll prove much more convenient than she imagines. Certainly she’ll be ‘charmed’ [groan – Ed].

2. Jay Leno
Known for: Large-chinned TV chat/car loving

Jay’s a famed car nut, with a huge collection of vehicles of all ages encompassing petrol, diesel, steam and electric power. His Baker Electric dates back 100 years, and is his wife’s favourite car. “Unlike other early cars, the Baker Electric needed no cranking, had no gasoline smell and was essentially maintenance-free,” says Jay on jaylenosgarage.com. “Not surprisingly, it was marketed to women. The interior of my Baker is rather froufrou, complete with a little make-up kit.”

3. Kristin Scott Thomas
Known for: Patching up English Patients

A Reva G-Wiz has been vehicle of choice for this most English of actresses. Well, she’s perceived as quintessentially English but in fact is just as at home in France, being fluent in the language and appearing in a number of French pictures. She’s also got the Parisian sense of fashion, which makes the G-Wiz a slightly baffling choice. Let’s put it down to French quirkiness and a decision to be less red carpet, more green planet.

4. Neil Young
Known for: Rock ’n’ Roll ’n’ innovative environmental activism

Regarded as one of the most influential musicians of his era, Neil Young spent six figures on converting a 1959 Lincoln Continental into a multi-fuelled hybrid. The LincVolt is a truly unique animal, boasting “more than twice the power and a superior MPG” to other hybrids. It’s also capable of running on a variety of fuels, including petrol, bio-fuels and natural gas. Young’s filming a documentary about the build and has a mission to get one or more major manufacturers to build cars incorporating LincVolt technology. Interesting stuff.

5. Tom Hanks

Known for: Box-a-choclat philosophising and snakes in his boots

Life is like a box of electric cars for the Forrest Gump and Toy Story star. Hanks owns one of the first-generation Toyota RAV4 EVs and is one of a few US celebs to put down a deposit for the futuristic Aptera 2 Series three-wheel EV, due later this year. Like a light aircraft minus the wings, the Aptera will be available with either a petrol-electric hybrid or pure electric powertrain. Unlike with life/chocolates, you’ll probably know which you’re gonna get.

6. George Clooney
Known for: Casino heists and Nespresso-peddling

The Hollywood heart-throb was one of the first celebrities to pick up an EV, choosing the Tango T600 way back in August 2005. Probably one of the weirdest-looking cars around, the Tango is thinner than some motorcycles at only 39 inches (990mm) wide, and has sports-bike performance: top speed is 120mph and it’ll do 0 to 60mph in four seconds. Not surprisingly, that performance comes with a Beverly Hills price tag – retail price is $108,000 (£66,000), and it comes as a part-assembled kit. We can’t imagine George needed to get out his Allen key, though.

7. Leonardo DiCaprio
Known for: Titanic romantics & subconscious-raiding

As a committed environmentalist, DiCaprio always strives to be more green. Which is probably why the Titanic star decided to be a poster-boy for the move from hybrid to pure EV, swapping his Prius for a Tesla Roadster. His new electric sports car boasts 0-60mph in 3.9 seconds and a top speed of 125mph.Beachin’.

8. Nathan Fillion
Known for: Serene sci-fi stardom

Fillion made a name for himself as the captain in cult show Firefly and big-screen follow-up Serenity, so it’s quite apt that his choice of earth-based runabout is an Arcimoto Pulse, a three-wheeler that looks like it was created by the Star Trek special effects department. Fillion even referred to it on Twitter as his ‘spaceship’. He’s still looking for the warp-speed button, we hear.

9. Danny DeVito
Known for: Pint-sized comedic thespianism

The diminutive Hollywood legend recently took a Nissan LEAF for spin, and was quoted saying: “Electric cars are the next big thing. If you liked the internet you’re going to want this.” We think he’s on to something on both counts.

10. Scarlett Johansson
Known for: Getting lost in translation and Iron Man temptressing

Universally known as one of the sexiest women in Hollywood, the star of Lost in Translation and Iron Man 2 is also a committed environmentalist. “My family and I are always trying to think of ways to make our life greener,” she says, “whether it’s investing in solar panels or using biodegradable dish soap. This year we’ve decided to convert our Prius to a completely electric car.” A job worthy of Tony Stark himself.

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