(April 20, 2012) LOS ANGELES — Total Car Score today released its ranking of the top 2012 alternative fuel models for each major vehicle segment. "Buying an alternative fuel vehicle has become the equivalent to buying a smartphone," said Karl Brauer, editor-in-chief of Total Car Score.

"In a very short period of time the question for many consumers has shifted from 'Should I buy a smartphone?' to 'Which smartphone should I buy?' The same thing is happening with alternative drivetrain vehicles. That is why we compiled this list: to give car buyers who know they want an alternative fuel vehicle a better idea of the top offering in each category."

Brauer added that another factor in putting the list together is that today nearly every carmaker has entered into the alternative fuel race with at least one model. "In the very near future," Brauer said, "offering a range of drivetrains, with at least one alternative fuel option, is going to be the norm, not the exception."

The ranking of alternative fuel vehicles was compiled using Total Car Score's vehicle rating system. The Total Car Score comes from a comprehensive system of evaluating every vehicle on the market using an industry-wide standard. The "Total Car Score" (TCS) awarded to a vehicle is a comprehensive number that aggregates car ratings from the top industry authorities and incorporates fuel efficiency and safety components.

Top Rated Alternative Fuel 2012 Models