You don't need to run out and buy the latest-model eco-car just to go green. But if you are in the market for a new vehicle, consider making it a clean one. The market for environmentally friendly cars has exploded over the past few years, so there is now an eco-savvy option for every family. Eco-savvy cars release fewer emissions into the air and help you go further on each tank of gas.

Gasoline-Powered Eco-Cars

The majority of eco-cars on the road today are called partial-zero-emissions vehicles (PZEVs) that run on gasoline but use advanced technology to improve gas mileage and reduce pollutants. Hybrid cars also use gasoline but minimize its consumption with electric power. Hybrid cars emit fewer pollutants and use less fuel than their traditional counterparts, but these models will also be more costly than their gas-guzzling cousins.

Flexible Fuel Vehicles (FFV)

According to the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), all gasoline vehicles are capable of operating on gasoline/ethanol blends with up to 10 percent ethanol. However, there are also millions of cars on the road today known as Flexible Fuel Vehicles (FFVs) that can run on E85 (85 percent denatured ethanol and 15 percent gasoline.)

Check your owners' manual or talk to your dealer if you think your car might be able to run on ethanol. Check the U.S. DOE website to find an ethanol fuel station near you.

Biodiesel

Biodiesel is another great eco-friendly option. Biodiesel is a combination of diesel and refined vegetable oil. It burns cleaner than straight diesel and produces fewer emissions. Biodiesel fuel can now be purchased in almost every state in the country. The National Biodiesel Board maintains a list of biodiesel retail locations. Or, if you'd like to run on straight vegetable oil, check out Golden Fuel Systems or Greasecar to purchase a DIY conversion kit.