Latest news on green cars
US motorists demand start-stop technology
Motorists may not yet be convinced about electric and hydrogen vehicles, as well as other advanced technologies, but it appears that start-stop technology has already won over the masses. Consumer research commissioned by Johnson Controls reports that 97 per cent of Americans are now ready for start-stop technology – emphasising that they want the improved [...]
Nissan’s electric NV200 wins Environment Award
It’s not even due to hit the market for at least another year but Nissan’s e-NV200 has won its first award. The fully electric version of the LCV is still in testing stages with various companies but that didn’t bear any influence on Van Fleet World presenting it with the Environment Award at this week’s [...]
Mitsubishi to tackle Pikes Peak with two EVs
Mitsubishi is taking two electric vehicles to tackle the notorious Pikes Peak International Hill Climb this July. The Japanese carmaker will be aiming to win the category prize for ‘Electric Class’ with its i-MiEV Evolution, a specially-prepared competition version of its production EV. Also entering the competition will be a slightly modified standard i-MiEV, as [...]
Renault delivers UK’s first diesel-hybrid truck
Britain’s first 26-tonne diesel-hybrid truck is expected to enter service after being handed over to freighters Norbert Dentressangle. The 310hp rigid Renault Premium Distribution Hybrys Tech will be used for deliveries into London, mostly at night and in the early morning, to take advantage of its low noise, reduced emissions and improved fuel consumption. Based [...]
Mercedes to introduce hydrogen fuel cell car
Thought that the talk of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles was over and that the electric revolution was firmly in place? Think again – because Mercedes-Benz has announced that fuel cell cars are very much in its plans. It has already started to lease the Mercedes B-Class F-Cell hydrogen fuel cell car (pictured) in California – [...]
Nissan begins electric vehicle testing
Having already established itself in the electric vehicle market with the Nissan LEAF, the Japanese carmaker is now starting to test another electric vehicle. The vehicle is based on the Nissan NV200 (pictured) and will be used by AEON Retail Company to make deliveries within the Tokyo area as part of the company’s new online [...]
Study: Ethanol could harm your engine
It has long been one of the biggest concerns about ethanol blends replacing petrol – could it harm your engine? Now a new two-year study from the Coordinating Research Council (CRC) suggests it could. The CRC looked at the effects of E15 and E20 ethanol blends and found that two popular petrol engines used from [...]
Digital-only UK marketing campaign for Chevrolet Volt
American carmaker Chevrolet has decided that to back up the launch of its ground-breaking Volt EREV in the UK its new advertising campaign will be 100% digital. The first project since the manufacturer signed a global deal with Carat as its new media agency, the campaign will see Chevrolet partner with AOL’s Huffington Post UK [...]
Los Angeles’ EV drivers make smarter use of their cars
Participants of a major US-wide trial of electric cars in Los Angeles are making the best use of their zero tailpipe emission vehicles, according to Ecotality, which collates the trial’s data. According to the leading provider of electric car charging infrastructure, drivers in this California city travel further in their EVs than those in other [...]
Coventry-built hydrogen car makes award shortlist
A UK designed and built hydrogen fuel cell vehicle has been shortlisted for a prestigious transport design award. Developed by Coventry University spin-out company, Microcab, the hydrogen-powered car, known simply as the H2EV, was selected from an array of contenders to make the shortlist for the sixth annual Condé Nast Traveller’s Innovation & Design Awards. [...]
Top 5 green cars by category
Looking for green cars? Which are the greenest saloons, hatchbacks, coupes, cabriolets, estates, people carriers and 4x4's?
Company Car Tax in 2011/12
Including details of the 2011 vehicle excise duty reform. Make sure that you will be paying the right company car tax in 2011/12?
Electric cars
Electric cars were once expected to be the ultimate travelling option of the 21st Century only to be maligned when initial efforts such as the Ford Think failed to earn a sizeable share of the UK market. However, with further technological advancements, electric cars are once again emerging as a viable alternative to the fuel guzzling and polluting vehicles that most of us drive today.
Some of the best electric cars which may be available to you soon include:
For more information see our Electric Cars guide.
Hybrid cars
The number of hybrid cars available in the UK is on the increase although they are still not as readily available as it is hoped they will be in the long term. Here is a list of some of the hybrid cars currently available in the UK, click on the links to find out more:
There are also several hybrid cars available in other markets:
To find out more about how hybrid cars work and to find out about exciting new hybrid concepts and forthcoming models, read out Hybrid Cars guide.
