Latest news on green cars
BMW electric i5 for 2015?
BMW is planning a third electric model for its new ‘i’ ‘Born Electric’ range, according to Germany’s Autobild magazine. It is believed that the car maker could be planning a to launch an i5 compact MPV model in 2015 to complement its first two electric models; the i3 electric supermini and the i8 plug-in hybrid [...]
Battery-swapping service launches in Israel
Electric car infrastructure firm Better Place launched its first programme this week in Israel. The Californian-based firm which approaches the problem of recharging electric cars by using battery swap stations, launched its first wave of electric cars in the country as part of its partnership with Renault. The fleet of 100 Renault Fluence electric cars [...]
Demand for range-extended Volt to outstrip supply
The Chevrolet Volt may have become a ‘political punchbag’ (see story) in its native US but over here in the UK, Chevrolet dealers are expecting that demand will far outstrip supply. According to Headlineauto.co.uk, Chevrolet UK has already been contacted by over 2,500 people interested in the Volt, before the model has even arrived on [...]
Mazda starts production of CX-5 with SKYACTIV-D engine
It will be the first Mazda vehicle to adopt SKYACTIV Technology in the powertrain, body and chassis – and now production has begun of the new Mazda CX-5. The vehicle boasts a SKYACTIV-D 2.2litre diesel engine and is scheduled to go on sale in Japan and Europe this spring, before being introduced in other markets [...]
BMW performance models get eco touch
You might not expect TheGreenCarWebsite.co.uk to report on BMW introducing a new range of M Performance Automobiles – however, there is a distinctly green flavour to these new vehicles. The vehicles boast a new six-cylinder in-line diesel engine and feature three turbochargers capable of delivering a maximum output of 280kW and peak torque of 740Nm. [...]
Toyota to introduce hybrid car in Le Mans race
Keep your eye on the FIA World Endurance Championships, with Toyota Racing to introduce its new TS030 Hybrid at the event. The successor to both the TS010 and TS020 vehicles that participated inLe Mansraces during the 1990s, it marks the first time a vehicle has competed in the World Endurance Championships with a hybrid system. [...]
Energy Saving Trust named as sponsor for EV & Low CO2 Fleet Show
The Energy Saving Trust will be the main sponsor for an annual event aimed at promoting the benefits of low carbon vehicles in April. The one-day EV & Low CO2 Fleet Show – held at the world-renowned Silverstone racing circuit in Northamptonshire – will allow fleet decision makers to experience the plus-points of electric, hybrid [...]
Low emission Rio adds three-door model
The lowest emission non-hybrid car currently available, the Kia Rio just got more appealing with the addition of a three door model. It is the first time that Kia has produced a three door version of its Rio model, with the new car available to order now. Prices for the three-door version start from £9,995-with [...]
Nissan moves to number two in the Americas
Japanese carmaker Nissan is now ranked as the number two Asian automotive brand in the Americas– after an incredible year that saw it record 1,561,230 vehicle sales across its Nissan and Infiniti brands. Already established as Japan’s second largest carmaker, Nissan is now set to invest heavily on furthering its ambitions in the region. It [...]
BMW seeks ‘electronauts’ to trial electric car
BMW is ‘calling all electronauts’ as it opens the recruitment process for drivers interested in leasing its first electric car model as part of trials taking place in the US. From this week, the German car maker begins the hunt for 700 drivers in the Boston, Hartford, New York, Los Angeles, Sacremento, San Diego and [...]
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.
