Toyota tops list again as number one green brand with Ford and Honda rounding off the top three

When it comes to the idea of which companies are the greenest, automakers top the list.

According to the Best Global Green Brands report, Toyota Ford and Honda rank number one, two and three respectively when it comes to green initiatives.    

The report, conducted by Internet Brands, ranks companies by examining the gap that exists between a corporation’s environmental practices and consumers’ perceptions of those practices, according to a press release issued by the consulting company.

The 50 companies on the green list were dwindled down from 100 companies included on Internet Brands annual Best Global Green Brands report.  

Overall, carmakers made up 50 percent of the top ten companies on the Best Global Green Brands report with Nissan ranking  in at number five and Volkswagen ranking in at number seven.

Toyota, which earned the number one post on the list for the third year running, dominated the hybrid vehicle market, notes the report. In 2012, the company sold more than 2.9 million Prius models worldwide.

The Japanese-based automaker is also exploring the future of mobility by building a low carbon society called Toyota Ecoful Town in Toyota City, Japan.    

In the midst of beginning production of the Ford Fusion Electric in Europe, Ford has shot up 13 spots to earn the No. 2 spot on Internet Brand’s Best Global Green Brands report.

Ford’s surge was credited to the popularity of products such as its EcoBoost engines. Since launching in the summer of 2009, Ford has sold more than 520,000 EcoBoost-equipped vehicles globally.

Ford’s range of EcoBoost engines, which combines downsizing with turbocharging, direct fuel injection and variable valve timing, includes  the award-winning 1.0-liter three-cylinder to ge featured in the 2014 Fiesta; the 1.6-liter available in Escape and Fusion; the 2.0-liter available in Focus ST, Fusion, Taurus, Edge, Escape and Explorer; and the 3.5-liter V6 in the Taurus SHO.

Nissan was the top riser on the list moving up 16 places from number 21 to crack the top ten at number 7.

Overall, and perhaps at no surprise, technology brands dominated the Best Global Green Brand list.