If you live in or around the London area you may have been disappointed to hear that the congestion charge will increase to as much as £25 for some vehicles from October 2008.

However, this high charge only applies to the most high-polluting vehicles. Here is a breakdown of the charges to be implemented on October 27, 2008:

• Vehicles emitting more than 225g/km and registered after September 2001 will be charged £25 a day.

• Cars registered before September 2001 will meet the same charge if their engine is bigger than 3.0l.

• Cars emitting more than 120g/km and less than 225g/km will pay £8 a day.

• Cars with emissions of less than 120g/km will pay nothing unless they were registered before September 2001 (in which case they do meet the emission requirements).

If you own a green car, with emissions below 120g/km, you have every reason to be satisfied by the new charges which could have a positive impact on the environment by encouraging motorists to opt for green cars. If you’re in the market for a new car you’ll be pleased to hear that there are a host of vehicles that will now be free from congestion charges - here is our selection of the top ten.

Top Ten Congestion Busters: VW Polo Bluemotion

The first Volkswagen to get the ‘Bluemotion’ treatment in a bid to meet customer demand for leaner and cleaner models, the VW Polo Bluemotion has stunningly low CO2 emissions at just 99g/km and with the correct engine modifications can achieve up to 70mpg.

Top Ten Congestion Busters: Honda Civic 1.4 Hybrid

A saloon car that has scooped several awards including international engine of the year for three successive years from 2002-2004 and with impressively low emission levels of just 109g/km. It is one of the earliest hybrids on the market and has provided the Japanese manufacturer with a useful foothold to get ahead of the competition.

Top Ten Congestion Busters: Toyota Prius

In many respects the Honda Civic’s biggest rival, the Toyota Prius has been dubbed the ‘car of the stars’ as it has famously been driven by the likes of Leonardo DiCaprio and Cameron Diaz. It is slightly more expensive than the Honda Civic but produces a touch less CO2 with emission levels at 104g/km.

Top Ten Congestion Busters: Audi A3 1.9 TDI

Audi drivers are notoriously image conscious and so an environmentally friendly car may not be high on their list. However, the 1.9 TDI engine, which is one of the leaders in the diesel field, makes this a true all-rounder with punchy performance and frugal economy - emission levels are a mere 119g/km.

Top Ten Congestion Busters: Toyota Yaris Diesel

With all the green car innovations Toyota has introduced, from the Prius to the American-based super-selling Camry, the Toyota Yaris Diesel has been staggeringly overlooked. Not only can it achieve a whopping 63mpg but its emissions are neatly below the congestion charge cut off at 119g/km.

Top Ten Congestion Busters: Ford Focus 1.6 Diesel

The Ford Focus 1.6 Diesel represents a new direction for this super-seller in terms of looks but its great fun to drive and returns 40mpg making it the most economical version yet. Emission levels are just 119g/km.

Top Ten Congestion Busters: Kia Picanto 1.0

Cheerful and cheap, the Kia Picanto 1.0 is an inviting small car that’s perfectly practical and has low running costs, clearly targeting the budget market. Its CO2 emissions are a mere 117g/km.

Top Ten Congestion Busters: Fiat 500 1.3 Multijet

Dubbed in some circles as the most important small car since the MINI, the Fiat 500 was launched to coincide with the manufacturer’s 50^th anniversary and symbolised its remarkable recovery from financial strife. It is packed with safety features and the 1.3 is the most frugal engine of the lot making it ideal for commuters, particularly in congestion areas with emissions at 111g/km.

Top Ten Congestion Busters: BMW 118d

Proof that you don’t need to sacrifice luxury to go green, the BMW 118d is a clean, green driving machine. Its emissions are a mere 119g/km and yet it has powerful delivery to make this a dynamic delight.

Top Ten Congestion Busters: Ford Fusion diesel

A car originally drubbed by the Press for not carrying the urban attitude of a 4×4, the Ford Fusion diesel has brought the vehicle back from the doldrums with great performance, 60mpg and emissions at just 119g/km.