The Department for Transport has today published a study into the ‘Public attitudes towards climate change and the impact of transport’, investigating the link between our travel use and our perception of climate change.

Exploring public attitudes through 2006, 2007 and 2008, the report finds that in all three years 81 per cent of adults said that they were very or fairly concerned about climate change, with a quarter being very concerned. Although levels of concern remained stable across the three years, the proportion of adults considering climate change one of the top three most important issues facing Britain has changed over time (23 per cent felt this in 2006; 32 per cent in 2007; 27 per cent in 2008).

Those less concerned included young people aged 16 to 24; those with no formal educational qualifications; people in semi-routine/routine occupations; non-drivers; and non-flyers.

Although the majority (about 60 per cent) of adults felt that climate change would have little or no effect on them personally, almost nine in ten thought the affect on future generations would be a great deal or quite a lot.

The majority of the public believe that transport emissions contribute to climate change, with around 70 per cent spontaneously selecting emissions from road transport as a cause of climate change, although this proportion has fallen over time. Those mentioning natural causes fluctuated significantly over the time period – 10 per cent in 2006, 16 per cent in 2007 and 14 per cent in 2008.

When asked which modes of transport contribute most the public were most likely to choose cars or aeroplanes. The proportion selecting these has fluctuated over time, with a higher proportion choosing aeroplanes in 2007.

Around seven in ten adults felt that they themselves could have some or a little influence on limiting climate change, with around three-quarters saying that they would be prepared to change their behaviour in some way to help limit climate change.

Three-quarters of adults said that they themselves were likely to undertake some form of activity to reduce car journeys due to concerns about climate change, most often walking some short journeys or reducing the number of non-essential journeys.

Policy support was far higher for ‘soft’ measures to encourage alternative modes, such as improved public transport, rather than measures that would increase the cost of car travel. Support for both increasing tax on petrol and higher taxes on less environmentally friendly cars (the most popular pricing measure chosen by 37 per cent of adults) decreased between 2006 and 2008.

The vast majority of adults supported the Government persuading people to purchase less environmentally damaging vehicles, although the proportion supporting has reduced over time from 87 per cent in 2006 to 80 per cent in 2008.

Perhaps the headline should read lowering the bar as latest figures released confirm the third generation Prius has industry leading low CO2 emissions.

Here at TheGreenCarWebsite.co.uk we have covered the next incarnation of the much loved Prius in detail, however it is not until now that we have published confirmed CO2 emission figure for the hybrid.

The current second generation Prius remains one of the lowest CO2 emitting cars on UK roads, with only the current spate of super-frugal diesel supermini’s and city cars, such as the Ford Fiesta Econetic, Volkswagen Polo Blue Motion and SEAT Ibiza Ecomotion bettering its published 104g/km figure.

Our Green Car Manufacturer of 2008 has obviously been keen to redress the balance and again lead the way in low CO2 motoring, and news coming from the Japanese carmaker is that the third generation Prius has a confirmed CO2 emissions figure of only 89g/km. Currently only the super small  two-seater Smart ForTwo 45 can beat this at 88g/km.

This third generation is not just an over haul of the existing model, some ninety per cent of the components in its Hybrid Synergy Drive system have been redesigned. The new system is 22% more powerful while reducing weight and size, and fuel consumption.

The new Prius will go head-to-head with Honda’s new hybrid the Insight when it goes on sale in the UK from July.

The third generation Toyota Prius will receive its European debut at the Geneva Motor Show.

Has news of the Prius stolen the thunder of Honda’s Hybrid the Insight, let us know your thoughts in the comment box below.

The 79thGeneva International Motor Show at the Geneva Palexpo, taking place from March 5-15, 2009 will feature the creation of an area reserved for small and large enterprises involved in the development of “green” technologies for vehicles.

Hall 3 of the Palexpo will become the Green Pavilion, an area devoted to new technologies for the reduction of fuel consumption and automobile pollution, in preparation for the automobiles of tomorrow.

Nearly 2000 square meters will highlight the green developments of the well established and highly qualified enterprises in this domain, and also specialised start-ups and various institutions of higher learning. Among the established manufacturers, Toyota will be showcasing their famous iQ model, the new edition Prius and explaining more about their Optimal Drive and Hybrid Synergy Drive technologies and Honda have their new Insight hybrid model to show off. While Chrysler LLC will bring their range of ENVI-powered electric vehicles, All will have the opportunity, in this specialised but global framework, to present the latest fruits of their research to the general public, and to establish contacts with the automobile manufacturers participating in the Show.

For example, you will find MCE-5, a company from Lyon that has developed a motor with variable compression which enables a reduction of fuel consumption and CO2 emissions by up to 35 per cent without comprising the vehicle’s performance or driving pleasure. Visitors to the show will also be able to discover a world premier, the small electric vehicles from Comarth, or check out the hybrids vehicles made by Alreda and represented by BUT S.A. from the Valais.

In the Green Pavilion you can also learn more about the work of HES-SO, the laboratories of the institute of advanced engineering of the Canton of Vaud who will be presenting their latest projects, and the institute of engineering of Geneva will show their Biomobile which runs on bio-fuel made from vegetable wastes. One of the most sensational presentations at the Pavilion will be the famous Tesla, an electric-powered sports car from California capable of accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h in 4 seconds, reaching a top speed of 200 km/hr, and able to run for 390 kilometres on one charge of its batteries.

As a further bonus, in line with its key objective of education, at the Green Pavilion you can learn to drive your own automobile in the manner “econoecological” (Eco-Drive).

Chalk up another new invention for the Geneva Motor Show – as Lotus prepares to showcase its single-cylinder research engine monoblock that demonstrates the architecture of the Omnivore engine concept.

The design is the result of collaboration between Queen’s University in Belfast and Orbital Corporation Limited Australia with the idea of producing high thermal efficiency when fuelled on any alcohol-based fuel or petroleum. The engine uses a two-stroke operating cycle and includes an innovative variable compression ratio system as well as Orbital FlexDI direct fuel injection.

The engine is suited to flex-fuel operation and has a higher degree of optimisation than is possible with current four-stroke engines according to Lotus.

The monoblock construction blends the cylinder head and block together removing the need for a head gasket, reducing weight and improving durability.

According to Geraint Castleton-White, the head of powertrain at Lotus Engineering, research into these systems on four-stroke engines led to the conclusion that the two-stroke engine could solve practical difficulties and permit a much larger range of compression ratio adjustment. This offers the potential to perform at a much higher efficiency when running on renewable fuels.

Lotus Engineering is currently in the final stages of commissioning the Omnivore single-cylinder research engine.

The Geneva Motor Show promises to play host to a number of exciting new production vehicles, including the new Saab 9-3X.

The vehicle will be a lighter alternative to the heavier sports utility vehicles (SUVs) on the market. It has impressive performance statistics with 210hp and a 2.0 litre turbo engine that is linked with the E85-capable BioPower technology for the first time.

Its most popular 9-3 diesel models offer reduced carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions as well as improved fuel consumption. The 9-3 Sport saloon vehicles with linear and vector specifications achieve 44.4mpg and produce emissions of just 139g/km.

The efficiency gains average seven per cent and have been achieved through a number of fine-tuning measures such as the use of wider gear ratios, idle and low engine speed remapping and optimised tyre and wheel choice.

The launch of the vehicle comes shortly after the announcement that Saab will be breaking away from General Motors, which originally took a 50 per cent stake in the company in 1990 and later acquired the remaining shares.

The new Saab Automobile company is expected to be led initially by a group of three: managing director Jan Ake Jonsson; international reorganisation expert Stephen Taylor; and lawyer Guy Lofalk. It is hoped that through the company’s reorganisation it can create short-term stability and develop a long-term solution.

Are you ready for plug-in vehicles to take over from conventional petrol and diesel cars? Well if you live in Portland, Oregon; Indianapolis, Indiana; or Raleigh, North Carolina; then chances are you’re better prepared than most.

That is because the Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI) has launched Project Get Ready that is intended to help these communities prepare for plug-in vehicles such as hybrid electric cars, converted hybrids, battery electric vehicles and internal combustion vehicles.

RMI has launched a project website and provided a list of actions to the communities to help then get ready for the transition. It is suggesting a stretch target of two per cent of registered vehicles by 2015.

According to Laura Schewel, the project manager, each community taking part in the scheme is unique with different commuting patterns, parking concerns and cultures. So instead of battling this diversity, Project Get Ready welcomes it by allowing communities to prepare in their own way.

On the Project Get Ready website there is a menu of strategic actions that city and regional leaders can enact to help them become plug-in pioneers. There is also a database of national and international plug-in readiness activities.

RMI hopes to convene in at least 20 cities and provide a benchmark to help these cities prove they are ready for mass adoption of plug-in vehicles.

The shipping industry may be one of the oldest and most traditional industries in the world but it is now embracing an electric revolution.

At the San Pedro Bay, California, port complex, Balqon Corporation has begun production of all-electric, heavy-duty drayage trucks that can haul 30 ton shipping containers. It is part of Los Angeles’ Clean Air Action Plan with the development of the demonstration electric truck costing $527,000.

The vehicle uses a 336V traction battery pack that has deep cycle lead batteries as well as a square tubular positive plate design that creates maximum exposure to the electrolyte. It also includes an automatic watering system that is controlled with an on-board timer circuit.

After the completion of cargo terminal tests during 2008, the Los Angeles Harbour Commission approved the purchase of 20 production electric trucks from the manufacturer as part of the green terminal programme.

It is hoped that in the long term these electric vehicles could replace the fossil fuel powered yard tractors, otherwise known as “hostlers”, that move thousands of containers a day between the Port’s docks and terminal back-land.

The green terminal programme is also expected to include five on-road electric trucks with Balqon currently working with the Port and Department of Transportation to gain certification for road use.

In total, the Port is investing in excess of $5.6million to demonstrate the viability of electric drayage trucks.

The progression of alternative fuel vehicles in the USA has received a boost after the US Department of Energy issued a $300million Funding Opportunity Announcement for cost-shared projects that aim to expand the use of these vehicles.

The announcement is a modification of an earlier programme, which now includes four areas of interest – refuelling infrastructure for alternative vehicles; incremental cost of dedicated alternative fuel vehicles; education and outreach workshops for petroleum reduction fuels and technologies; and now an alternative fuel and advanced technology vehicles pilot programme.

The program may provide grants for up to 30 projects with a ceiling of $15m and a floor of $5m. Vehicles that are now eligible under the new area of interest include light-, medium- and heavy-duty vehicles: that use EPACT alternative fuels; fuel cell electric vehicles; electric hybrid vehicles; plug-in hybrid electric vehicles; light-duty neighbourhood electric vehicles; light-duty diesel vehicles; medium and heavy duty hydraulic hybrid vehicles; and a range of off-road/non-road commercial work or advanced technology vehicles.

The vehicles that will not be eligible under the announcement include novelty vehicles, golf carts, snowmobiles and other off-road recreational or sport vehicles.

Refuelling infrastructure will also be eligible for funding including: new dispensing facilities or improvements to existing refuelling sites; upgrades or modifications of private fuelling stations; equipment for turn-key fuelling services by alternative fuel providers; facility upgrades or building modifications necessary to accommodate alternative fuels.

A green car technology company is using wave power to adapt cars, enabling them to use half the fuel of the average saloon car.

Midlothian-based Artemis Intelligent Power has converted a BMW saloon to capture energy normally wasted through braking.

Carbon emissions from the prototype reduced by 30 per cent in combined city and motorway driving.

The system, known as Digital Displacement, was originally developed to convert the irregular movements of waves into a steady stream of energy.

A hydraulic drive establishes regenerative braking to recapture wasted energy and used again when the car needs to accelerate. It both drives the wheels and compresses gas in an accumulator, to store energy, before returning it to the wheels when required.

The car ran on a mixture of stored energy and petrol in the same way that hybrid cars operate, with computer control technology to switch between the two power sources.

The system is also less expensive than the batteries used in existing hybrid vehicles.

Under European test conditions, the hybrid car used 52.7 per cent less fuel than a normal petrol BMW530i, 6.58l of fuel/100km against 13.89l/100km for the unmodified car. In more aggressive tests employed in the United States the hybrid car used a third less fuel than its petrol equivalent.

“A lot of people have played with hydraulics for car and trucks, but conventional hydraulics are very inefficient at part-load, when, for example, a car is cruising down the motorway. You can have perfectly good transmission, but if it is not effective at 20 per cent of full power it is a non-starter. What our technology brings is the ability to be efficient at 10 or 20 per cent of full power,” Waverley Cameron of Artemis Intelligent Power told The Telegraph.

Established in 1994, Artemis now employ around 50 people. Their Digital Displacement project is supported by the Department for Transport and the Energy Saving Trust.

A British supermarket chain is beating traffic congestion and reducing its carbon footprint by using a non-motorised, hand-drawn truck for deliveries of less than a mile.

Hand carts are thought to have been used first in Sumeria over 5,000 years ago, but Waitrose is using an up-to-date version to make deliveries that would normally be undertaken by a diesel-engined lorry.

Director at the Environmental Transport Association, an organisation that campaigns for sustainable transport, Andrew Davis said: “In this case, ancient technology is a perfect solution to today’s problems of congested streets and polluted air.”