The Toyota Prius,Toyota Camry Hybrid, Ford Escape Hybrid, Honda Civic Hybrid and Toyota Highlander Hybrid are the hottest green cars in the US market today according to MSN autos.

Today (4th October 2007) launches the Peugeot 308 in its bid to become the most economical car in its class.

The 1.6-litre 308 SE HDi 110 boasts CO2 emissions from as little as 120 g/km.

Looking like a classic British sports cars, the Lightning GT electric car will be made from a similar material to Formula One cars. There are three versions of the sporty electric number planned. Due to be released in 2008, there will be a luxury model, a sports model and a version with extended range that could go upto 250 miles from a 10-minute charge. The price for one of these sexy motors is expected to be in the £150,000 range depending on model and extras – but if that sounds like a lot – don’t forget you won’t have to buy any petrol.

According to MSN cars the 5 most fuel efficient SUVs are the Ford C-Max, Vauxhall Meriva, Citroen Xsara Picasso, Renault Scenic and the Renault Kangoo.

On the 1st October 2007, Lexus released its new hybrid, the Lexus LS 600h. With a total of 230 orders already and leadtimes extending into next spring the new hybrid is proving very popular.

Ford aims for models such as the Ford Fiesta to have reduced their CO2 emissions by as much as 40 g/km by 2050. Richard Parry-Jones, head of global product development mentions that Ford’s aim will be to “sort out the high-selling volume models that are affordable to ordinary people”. In particular, Ford are working on improving the environmental performance of its large four-wheel drives.

Chancellor Alistair Darling is thought to be planning a £2000 new car tax for high CO2 cars, according to the Sunday Times. The £2000 tax would apply to all new cars with only the greenest getting a full rebate. Those cars emitting more than 254g/km would be charged the full amount.

“The motor sector has become the target of choice for political parties jostling to be the greenest during this year’s conference season, and the Treasury’s leak of plans for a £2,000 tax on new cars, prior to an official announcement as part of the Pre-Budget Report, is another cynical attempt to score points,” according to Sue Robinson, director of the National Franchised Dealers Association (NFDA), the body representing franchised car dealers.

Youngsters in the UK care a lot less about the environment and green issues than young people in developing countries. Only 44% of young people in the UK claim to be concerned about environmental pollution compared to 75% of Indonesians, 74% of Brazilians and 74% of Mexicans. However, the UKs youngsters do come above U.S. youngsters in the study, as only 36% are worried about the environment.

A potent gas that is produced in the making of biofuels may actually be contributing to global warming. The growing of crops such as sugar cane and rape seed, which are commonly used in the making a biofuel, releases twice as much nitrous oxide as was previously thought. The findings were made by Nobel prize winning chemist Paul Crutzen and his team.

The little Toyota iQ Concept is smaller than the existing Aygo, roughly the same size as the Yaris. The iQ Concept will manage 60 miles to the gallon and cost approximately £7,500. The car will be fitted with a safety cell similar to a Smart car. This could well be the new generation of green car and worth keeping an eye on.