Many people assume that there are few green car coupes on the market due to their sporty nature. Though the definition of a coupe varies from manufacturer to manufacturer, they are usually three door, sporty looking cars. There are several green car coupes on the market – here are our top five picks:

• Volvo C30 Sports Coupe 1.6D DRIVe S 3dr with 99g/km CO2 and 74.3mpg combined.
• Mini Coupe Cooper SD with 114g/km CO2 and 65.7mpg combined.
• Citroen DS4 e-HDi 110 Airdream with 114g/km CO2 and 64.2mpg combined.
• Honda CR-Z hybrid coupe range with 117g/km CO2 and 56.5mpg combined.
• Volkswagen Scirocco 2.0 TDI Bluemotion with 118g/km CO2 and 62.8mpg combined.

Last updated: January 2012

An estate is broadly the same as a saloon but with an extended rear cargo area. This means that in addition to being good executive cars they are also popular with families. Now this versatility has extended to green cars with a host of green car estates to choose from. Here are our top five picks:

• Skoda Fabia GreenLine Estate with 89g/km CO2 and 83.1mpg combined.
• SEAT Ibiza ST Copa 1.2 TDi with 89g/km CO2 and 83.1mpg combined.
• Volvo V50 DRIVe with 99g/km CO2 and 74.3mpg combined.
• Renault Megane Sport Tourer DCi with 104g/km CO2 and 70.6mpg combined.
• Ford Focus Estate 1.6 TDi with 109g/km CO2 and 67.3mpg combined.

Last updated: January 2012

The Volkswagen Polo BlueMotion caused quite a stir in the green world when it was announced that it would be the first conventional car to lower CO2 emissions below the 100g/km mark. Volkswagen now plans to add the BlueMotion to its other car types and by doing so increase fuel economy whilst decreasing harmful emissions

• Golf BlueMotion – 62.8mpg – 119g/km – £15,565
• Golf Plus BlueMotion – 58.9mpg – 127g/km – £16,745
• Golf Estate BlueMotion – 61.4mpg – 122g/km – £17,260
• Jetta BlueMotion – 61.4mpg – 122g/km – £17,260
• Passat BlueMotion – 55.4mpg – 136g/km – £17.260

Volkswagen really is making great strides in making the motor industry greener and helping keep the environment clean.

The Institute of Car Fleet Management will have a ‘Drive less – Achieve more’ theme running through its annual conference on March the 11^th.

In attendance at the event will be Don Potts, an eco guru and Tim Anderson, the Energy Savings Trust fleet advisor.

In the autumn of 2008 Ford will be replacing its faithful, long time servant, the Fiesta with the Verve concept that was showcased at last years (2007) Geneva Motor Show.

Amongst the Verve range will be the aptly named Econetic which will come with CO2 emissions of under 100g/km. The Ford Verve Econetic will join the Volkswagen Polo Bluemotion and the SEAT Ibiza Ecomotive in the elite group of “conventional” cars with CO2 emissions of under 100g/km

Superminis and hatchbacks make some of the very greenest cars on the market thanks to their diminutive dimensions. But this doesn’t necessarily mean you have to drive with your knees next to your ears, many people currently drive a car much bigger than you need. A lot of motorists would be surprised by how much they can fit into a ‘small’ car and just how much they can save in fuel costs as a result of downsizing. If you are looking for a small yet mighty green car, TheGreenCarWebsite.co.uk has the rundown of the ‘Top 5 Green Car Hatchbacks and Superminis’:

• Kia Rio 1.1 CRDi EcoDynamics with emissions from just 85g/km of CO2 and 88.3mpg on a combined cycle.
• smart fortwo with emissions from a tiny 86g/km of CO2 and 85.6mpg on a combined cycle.
• SEAT Ibiza 1.2 TDI E Ecomotive and Skoda Fabia 1.2 TDI CR with 89g/km CO2 and 83.1 mpg combined.
• Toyota Auris HSD with 89g/km of CO2 and 74.3mpg combined.
• Volkswagen Polo Bluemotion TDi  with 91g/km of CO2 and 80.7mpg combined.

Last updated: January 2012.

Volkswagen has developed the world’s first mass-production seven-speed gearbox. Incorporating DSG technology, the gearbox has lower gears at the bottom to give a sportier feel while top end high gears will lead to improvements in terms of miles per gallon and CO2 emissions.The gearbox can be used in either manual or automatic mode and will provide the drivers with more options as to the way they drive. 

http://www.volkswagen.co.uk

The Air Car, brain-child of ex-Formula One engineer Guy Negre is scheduled to be traversing the streets of India as early as August 2008.

The Air Car is being produced by Tata, India’s largest car manufacturer and uses compressed air to push the engine’s pistons. The car will be ZERO emission and the process of refilling the car at specially equipped stations could last only a minute at a cost of a paltry £1 to fill the car’s carbon-fibre tanks. Alternatively, drivers can refill at home using the mains supply, this process taking approximately four fours.

Although the Air Car will be an extremely green car it should not be forgotten that electricity will be required regularly the electricity will most likely be produced by burning fossil fuels.

Saloon cars make an ideal solution for many people, from growing families to business executives. Many offer space and pace, but this need not be at the expense of eco-credentials. TheGreenCarWebsite.co.uk outlines the ‘Top 5 Green Saloons and Small Family Cars’ currently available on the market:

• Toyota Prius T3 Hybrid 1.8 VVT with 89g/km CO2 and 72.4mpg combined.
• Volvo S40 DRIVe with 99g/km CO2 and 74.3mpg combined.
• Ford Focus 1.6 TDCi 115ps (Start-Stop) with 109g/km CO2 and 67.3mpg combined.
• BMW 1 Series 116D with 117g/km CO2 and 62.8mpg combined.
• Volkswagen Passat 1.6 TDi BlueMotion with 114g/km CO2 and 65.7mpg combined.
   

Last updated: January 2012.

Land Rover have released a concept model in the LR X that is a 4×4 with CO2 emissions of only 120g/km. Featuring a 2 litre turbo diesel/electric engine, stop/start technology and lightweight parts that will allow the LR X to achieve 60 mpg.

This will not be Land Rover’s first movement into the green market as the current Freelander diesel is already using stop/start technology that has reduced CO2 emissions from 194 to 179g/km.