As more and more people switch to more eco friendly cars, sales are on the rise. In 2012, the sales of environmentally friendly cars rose 41 percent from the year before, and plug-in cars more than doubled. The trend has been going strong for several years and is only expected to continue in 2013. These are the eco friendly cars to watch out for as they quickly jump up on the sales charts. Chevrolet Volt Since 2011, sales on the Chevrolet Volt have been steadily climbing upward. In 2012, the Volt topped out at 23,461 units sold, an astronomical 206 percent increase from 2011. As of March 2013, sales have seen a slight decline in the market, possibly due to the increased amount of competition, but projections see the Volt to restart its steady increase to maintain its position as the number one selling plug-in car on the market. As one of the most fuel efficient hybrid vehicles available, the Volt has the staying power to last at the top. Nissan LEAF The Nissan LEAF hit a big milestone last year as the electric car to hit 50,000 units sold. Although sales for the LEAF started out slowly in 2013 with only 656 units sold in February, March saw an impressive comeback of 2,236 sales, almost doubling that of the Volt. 2012 was a slow start for the LEAF with a year-to-date (YTD) count in March of only 733 units sold; 2013, on the other hand, saw a huge increase to 3,539 units sold by the end of March. This is likely due in part to GM moving the manufacturing of the LEAF to Tennessee and finally getting things moving there. Tesla Model S With an extended range of 265 miles between charges, the Tesla Model S is the plug-in car most likely to gain mainstream success. Already in March 2013, the sales on the Model S have doubled those of the entire year in 2012 at 4,750 units sold. Even the sales numbers from February 2013 to March 2013 have doubled, exceeding projected targets. Tesla itself forecasts a record-breaking 20,000 units delivered in 2013, making it look like this may be a great year for the Model S. Toyota Prius The Prius has made a big impact on the way we look at hybrid cars since it came to the market in 2000. Since then, the Prius has sold over 5 million units and holds its place as the third highest selling car in America. In 2012 alone, Toyota sold almost a quarter million of the model, but as gas prices begin to decline, so do Prius sales. Experts predict, however, that the Prius is not a passing trend and is here to stay; just as the sale of large trucks and SUVs are hurt by the rise of gas prices, the sale of hybrid cars is hurt when they lower as people worry less about fuel economy. Ford Fusion Hybrid In February 2013, the Ford Fusion Hybrid saw the best sales it has had since being introduced in 2006. At 27,875 units sold, numbers are up 28 percent from February 2012, and Ford is expecting the numbers to keep climbing to record-breaking heights by the end of the year. In California, the largest passenger vehicle market in America, the Fusion Hybrid is seeing the strongest momentum and fastest sales than any other vehicle. As the Ford Fusion Hybrid continues to gain popularity, not only in the United States but internationally as well, we may see it rivaling the Prius as the number one hybrid car. The new innovations in automotive technology and the ever growing need to seek out alternative fuel sources mean that hybrid and electric cars will only continue to gain popularity. With each passing year, it is expected that more and more eco friendly cars will be climbing in the ranks as care for the environment and greenhouse gas emissions rise in priority. Above image source: Flickr/BinaryApe