Latest Green Car News
Manchester Congestion Charge Vote D-Day Looming
All eyes will be on the city of Manchester in a few days times when results of the referendum on whether the city and the surrounding area will accept a peak time only congestion charge in return for substantial investment in public transport will be announced.
What is more, TheGreenCarWebsite.co.uk, is based on the edge of [...]
UK must cut emissions by a third
Independent advisors recommend a minimum 34 per cent cut in GHG emissions by 2020
The government’s Committee on Climate Change (CCC) launched its first report today in which it advises the Government to reduce greenhouse gases by at least 34 per cent by 2020.
In ‘Building a low-carbon economy’, the independent body recommends reducing emissions by at [...]
TH!NK study into EV-friendly European Cities
A novel and innovative solution to the age old economic problem of supply and demand has been hatched by Norwegian Electric Vehicle Manufacturer, TH!NK, with the introduction of the EV Friendliness Index.
Ahead of the 2009 launch of the TH!NK city electric vehicle the company has compiled a list of the fifteen friendliest cities in Europe [...]
Tyre pressures are wasting fuel and dangerous says Michelin
60 per cent Of British Motorists Are Driving On Under-Inflated Tyres
Tyre maker, Michelin has found that motorists are still ignoring the safety and economic benefits of having correctly inflated tyres with more than 60 per cent of cars on British roads running with incorrect tyre pressures and a shocking 35 per cent having dangerously under-inflated [...]
Mazda pass on VAT savings to customers
Fancy a cheaper new green car? The reduce VAT rate of 15 per cent announced in the Chancellor’s pre-Budget Report last week, comes in to force today and many of the main manufacturers have already announced they will be passing on the VAT savings onto their customers, including the likes of Ford, Toyota, Peugeot, Suzuki, [...]
No plans for private car restriction
Ever since the 2008 Summer Olympics, the Chinese city of Beijing has been on something of a green health-kick. Having dramatically reduced air pollution in time for the games and even restricted the days on which vehicles could be driven, residents had gone as far as to propose a restriction on the purchase of private [...]
Germany targets one million electrics
The German federal government has outlined its plans for a greener future - with plans to put one million electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles on to the roads by 2020.
According to figures produced by the European Automobile Manufacturer’s Association (ACEA) there was a total vehicle fleet of around 49.7million in 2006. Now Germany hopes to [...]
Smith electrics could benefit from cash boost
Only an elite group of manufacturers will benefit from the UK’s £50 million Low Carbon Vehicle Procurement Program, but one of them may be Smith Electric Vehicles (SEV).
The scheme, which aims to jump-start sales of low-carbon vehicles for use in public sector fleets, and is funded by the Department for Transport, has shortlisted the group [...]
Mazda launches three-way catalyst
Another motor show is just around the corner - the Bologna Motor Show will kick off on December 3 - and one company is already planning a spectacular new launch to mark the event.
Having just unveiled the four-door sedan version of the Mazda3 at last week’s Los Angeles Motor Show, the Mazda Motor Corporation will [...]
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 [...]
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
