Latest Green Car News
Congestion charge fund dropped
The Transport Innovation Fund (TiF) designed to introduce congestion charging in cities across the UK has been quietly dropped and replaced by a new Urban Challenge Fund.
Announced at a urban transport summit in London earlier this week, Transport Minister, Sadiq Khan said the planned new fund was designed to support a packages of measures [...]
Price tags preventing low carbon van uptake
The cost of purchasing low carbon vans is the main barrier to uptake among commercial vehicle buyers, a survey from the Department of Transport (DfT) has revealed.
The Government department sent out questionnaires in the summer of 2009 to owners of ‘low carbon vans’ and owners of ‘non low carbon vans’, although the details are [...]
Are online electric vehicles on their way?
There have been some unique and innovative ideas tossed around as we inch closer towards the electrification of vehicles – and this one is definitely up there with the best of them.
The Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) has deployed a prototype implementation of an online electric vehicle (OLEV) technology. This picks up electricity [...]
Valeo focuses on slashing emissions
French automotive components manufacturer Valeo has placed a clear emphasis on CO2 emission reduction as it outlines its goals for the coming years.
As part of an investor day in Paris, the company presented a strategic plan and medium term financial objectives that will include higher organic growth and becoming a major player in the sector.
It [...]
Draft report indicates huge fall in transport emissions
A draft report of the US Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Inventory of US Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Sinks: 1990-2008 indicates that transportation emissions fell by 5.7 per cent – the largest annual fall since 1990.
The report outlines that overall greenhouse has emissions have decreased by 2.9 per cent with CO2 emissions in the transportation sector [...]
News in brief: Google gets on its bike
There’s one mode of transport even greener than hybrid and electric cars – and that’s the humble bicycle. That’s why we know environmental enthusiasts everywhere will be thrilled with the latest innovation from Google.
The online search specialist has added biking directions in the US to Google Maps which includes step-by-step directions, bike trails, and a [...]
Tanfield receives offer on Smith Electric Vehicles
The Tanfield Group PLC has received a provisional offer on its electric vehicle division, Smith Electric Vehicles.
The offer is worth £37 million, equivalent to 50 pence per existing share plus a £33.3 million contingent credit fund prior to September 2015.
The non-binding, conditional offer comes from Smith Electric Vehicles US (SERVUS) which wishes to buy [...]
Prius model doubles February sales despite US troubles
As Toyota hear fresh reports of incidences of runaway Prius models, the carmaker is quick to remind the public of how many satisfied hybrid owners it has.
According to the troubled carmaker, February car sales for its Prius model doubled on its previous best performance for the month, back in February 2008.
A total of [...]
EC faces lawsuit over secret biofuel reports
The European Commission (EC) is being taken to court over its refusal to release information that could show that biofuels do more harm than good.
Britain is required by European law to use renewable sources in transport fuel to meet 10 per cent usage target by 2020 – a target which will be met in [...]
Ford reveals new engine range
Ford’s European engine product range has been revamped with the emphasis placed clearly on offering more efficient petrol and diesel engines.
At the top of the list is the introduction of two four-cylinder Ford EcoBoost petrol units that combine high pressure direct injection with advanced turbocharging and twin variable valve timing. This maximises combustion efficiency and [...]
Top 5's by category
Which are the greenest saloons, hatchbacks, coupes, cabriolets, estates, people carriers and 4x4's?
Company Car Tax in 2010/11
Including details of the 2010 vehicle excise duty reform. Make sure that you will be paying the right company car tax in 2010/11?
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.
The top 10 green cars
Our list of the top ten green cars will put you on the right road to reducing your emissions while still driving in style and comfort.
Top 10 green cars
The most economical green cars
One of the major benefits of owning and running green cars is the increased fuel economy that they are able to offer. Green cars such as the Volkswagen Polo BlueMotion and Seat Ibiza Ecomotive are now able to return more than 70 miles to the gallon and have the added bonus of very low CO2 emissions. We look at the green cars that offer the most miles per gallon and have broken down the results into the following categories: saloons, hatchbacks, estates, coupes, cabrios, people carriers and 4x4s.
The most economical green cars
