Latest Green Car News
Volvo launches E85 models
Thailand has seen more than its fair share of troubles in recent weeks, but that isn’t stopping the country making significant green progress - even if it is thanks to a Swedish car manufacturer.
Volvo Car Thailand has introduced two green cars to the country in the form of the Volvo C30 1.8F, which is an E85 flexifuel model, and the Volvo S80 2.5FT which is Thailand’s first and only locally produced flexifuel vehicle.
Speaking about the decision to introduce the vehicles to the ... read more
Payroll company runs waste oil cars
The forward-thinking directors of an online payroll services company, thepayrollsite.co.uk have taken the step to reduce their carbon footprint by running their cars on waste vegetable oil.
The directors took the step in a bid to make a real reduction of the environmental impact of their vehicles, following the realisation that carbon offsetting as an alternative did not necessarily require them to take actions to reduce their carbon emissions.
The Managing Director, Steven Tucker has been ... read more
Diesel grows on trees
Scientists have discovered a tree fungus which produces a chemical concoction almost identical to diesel.
The fungus, Gliocladium roseum, is unique to the Patagonian rainforest yet it is so similar to diesel, scientists believe it could be pumped directly into fuel tanks.
Dubbed ‘mycodiesel’ by the scientist who discovered the fungus, Gary Strobel from Montana State University told The Guardian;
“This is the only organism that has ever been shown to produce such an important combination ... read more
Get your alternative fuel here
One of the main hindrances to the growth of green cars worldwide has been the lack of refuelling infrastructure. Now however, readers in the USA can find out exactly how viable an alternative-fuel car is after the Department of Energy introduced a new website.
The website allows users to quickly search for refuelling stations of just about any kind except regular petrol or diesel. The website includes refuelling stations for:
Biodiesel (B20 and above)
Compressed Natural ... read more
Maine achieves ethanol goal
Congratulations are due for the US state of Maine, which has reached a goal of including a 10 per cent ethanol (E10) blend in nearly all its gasoline, despite the fact that there is no legislation making this a state requirement.
According to the state’s Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), the introduction of an E10 blend is due to state and federal tax regulations as well as tax incentives and current fuel market forces.
There are many reasons why Maine has been able to ... read more
Algae biofuels challenge launched
The mission is under way to turn algae into an alternative to fossil-based oil by 2020 as the UK Carbon Trust launched the Algae Biofuels Challenge.
The multi-million pound initiative could see the Carbon Trust commit £3.6 million of funding in the first phase of the challenge depending on the number of quality applications it receives. The UK Department of Transport has also announced that it will be contributing towards the initiative.
So what does the challenge involve? The Carbon Trust ... read more
Biobutanol production to accelerate
The biochemical process for biobutanol production has received a major boost as California based Cobalt Biofuels raised $25 million to accelerate commercialisation.
Cobalt believes that the faith shown by investors is well considered due to the advantages of its process, which are based on advances in microbial strain improvement, separation technology and fermentation reaction.
The plan is for Cobalt to produce biobutanol from a range of non-food feedstocks. By developing a process to ... read more
Running on Air
Running purely on compressed air and operated using a joy stick, Motor Development International (MDI) has reveiled the AIRPod, a revolutionary vehicle which the makers claim can cover 100km for just AU$2 (about 80 pence).
Unveiled in Nice, France earlier this month the AIRPod is the brainchild of MDI of Luxemborg and France and IndraNet Technologies of New Zealand who formed IT MDI-Energy Ltd.
A small compressed air engine and two alternators allow the AIRPod to cover 200km per fill of ... read more
Biofuels target to be slowed
The UK government has made a dramatic slow-down on its biofuel targets set for motor fuel. Transport Minister, Andrew Adonis has today announced plans to reduce the yearly obligation for the Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation (RTFO) to allow for the development more environmentally sustainable biofuels.
The announcement comes following the publication of a consultation to discuss the finding of the Gallagher Review. The review published in February, sought to address concerns that biofuel ... read more
Cadillac flex-fuel models launched
One of the most famous names in American motoring is getting a green twist for its latest launch in Europe as General Motors offers two new engines on its 2008 Cadillac BLS.
The vehicle is now available with two common-rail diesel and four petroleum engines - all six will be turbocharged. However, among them will be a new 132kW diesel unit and a 147kW Flexpower petrol-ethanol flex-fuel engine.
Each diesel model will feature a four-cylinder, 16 valve unit with a variable geometry ... read more
Green Car Events Calendar 2009
A calendar of green car events in 2009 including green car motor shows, green car exhibitions, green car races and other special events involving green cars. The events listed also focuses on other aspects of motoring - such as most mainstream motor shows - at which fuel efficient cars may also be displayed. If you know of a green car event that is not listed here, perhaps because it is a local small event, please contact us with as much detail as possible:
Green Car Events Calendar 2009
An interview with the NICE Car Company
The NICE Car Company offers impartial advice and the best range of zero-emission, electric vehicles in Europe. If you are looking for environmentally-friendly vehicles then NICE Car Company is there to help you make the right choice - from electric cars, electric trucks, electric vans and electric minibuses to our range of electric bikes and electric scooters including the Vectrix Scooter. Julian Wilford, the co-founder of the NICE Car Company kindly spoke to us September 2008.
Julian Wilford interview - September 2008
Company Car Tax in 2008/9
Including details of the 2009 vehicle excise duty reform. Are you paying the right company car tax in 2008/9?
The announcement of a major reform of vehicle excise duty in April 2009, the introduction of a new 10% banding for benefit-in-kind tax (13% for diesels), plus a rise to £16,900 in the Government set charge for fuel benefit charge calculation are some of the key points in Budget 2008.
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.
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:
Here is a list of some of the hybrid cars that are coming soon:
BMW EfficientDynamics
Auto Start-Stop – The engine stops whenever the car comes to rest and is taken out of gear, restarting the second the clutch is depressed - read all about BMW EfficientDynamics by clicking on the following link - A quick guide to BMW EfficientDynamics technologies
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
Barry Shrier is the charismatic and passionate promoter of entrepreneurial innovation - he is also the founder and CEO of Liberty Electric Cars. Liberty Electric Cars was established to respond to the rapidly expanding demand for zero and low emission cars. The company is investing £30 million in the re engineering of large luxury cars and 4×4s into emission-free, high performance electric vehicles. TheGreenCarWebsite.co.uk speaks to Barry about the recent exclusive agreement reached with ecurie 25 and asks for his thoughts on pedestrian safety, the Eden Project's 'Green Car Show' if whether or not he believes that electricity is a viable solution to fossil fuels.
The Quiet Car Company® are a Lymington based company based on the south coast of England. The Quiet Car Company has a dream of making transport cleaner, cheaper and fun. Vaughan Richmond spoke to TheGreenCarWebsite.co.uk in September 2008.
Titan Environmental are a pioneer in the manufacture and supply of storage solutions for oil, fuel, lubricants, adblue, chemicals, biofuels and water. Titan’s range of tanks and containers provide the best option for every situation whether domestic, commercial, industrial or agricultural.
More companies are turning to green company cars as a solution to rising motoring costs with research suggesting that more environmentally friendly company cars could save UK firms a collective £3bn a year. So what makes green company cars so attractive and should you consider them for your business? This guide will show you some of the options on the market and explain how you can make the savings work for you.
It’s a widely held myth that ‘green’ driving is more expensive than regular cars with petrol or diesel engines. It’s easy to see the reasoning behind it: everyone’s still driving cars with regular engines - and this ‘green’ technology is all relatively new - so surely it must be more expensive?
The Ford Focus 1.6 TDCi Style has been awarded the most prestigious award at the first-ever What Car? Green Awards. The Ford Focus’s impressive credentials saw it beat off 23 other contenders to take the top accolade, in categories ranging from green supermini to green sports car.
You’ve probably heard of pay-as-you-go mobile phones - you may even have one - but could the same philosophy be applied to vehicles? The success of car clubs across the UK suggests the answer is ‘yes’ and now there are a number of green car clubs emerging specifically targeting drivers that want to save cash and the environment. This guide to green car clubs will introduce you to the concept.
What is Eco-Driving? This guide to Eco-Driving will help you find practical steps that you can make today to reduce your carbon emissions as well as insight into alternative fuels and vehicle techology.
According to the Energy Saving Trust's report published in April 2007, a company with 100 vehicles could be saving £90,000 a year by implementing green fleet policies.
Top 5 green driving tips
- Change gear early
- Use air conditioning sparingly
- Do not use car as mobile office - no weight
- Do not use car for short journeys
- Always keep tyres inflated to correct pressure
