Latest hybrid car news and comment

The Vauxhall Ampera will now be available with a fast-charge kit that reduces its full charging time by around two hours, thanks to a new agreement made between Vauxhall and British Gas. Vauxhall will of more »

Nissan and Gateshead College are to develop a Zero Emission Centre of Excellence (ZECE) in the North East of England. The new centre will act as a business incubator for the electric vehicle industry, cr more »

Changes to company car taxation announced in Budget 2012 present a serious challenge to the UK electric vehicle (EV) market. With fleet purchases accounting for the vast majority of the UK's first 1,000 more »

Follow Budget 2012 today with Next Green Car as the Chancellor announces future levels of fuel duty and company car tax rates. As the Chancellor George Osborne aims to protect and stimulate the economy, more »

The Prime Minister has announced government plans to 'semi-privatise' sections of the country's major road network, with the aim to encourage investment and to improve the infrastructure. Yesterdays pro more »

Andy Eastlake has been appointed as the new MD of the Low Carbon Vehicle Partnership (LowCVP) – the organisation established to support the Government's Climate Change Strategy by delivering greenhouse more »

Appearing in a new short film about electric cars, Dr Ben Lane of Next Green Car provides an overview of their benefits, and outlines how electric technology may evolve in the future. The short documenta more »

ACFO, a leading fleet organisation, is calling on the Chancellor to review the planned company car benefit-in-kind tax changes in the 2012 Budget on March 21. As we reported in February, as a result of t more »

The World Electric Vehicle Summit, taking place this June in Copenhagen, will aim to harnesses critical cross-value chain partnerships to drive the global electric vehicles industry forward. The agenda w more »

The Vauxhall Ampera and Chevrolet Volt have won the 'Car of the Year' award, with the highest score of 47 points coming from the Car of the Year's UK jurors. The panel of judges, made up of 59 leading au more »

Order books are now open for the revolutionary Chevrolet Volt in the UK, and it has been confirmed that only one trim level will be available but it will be packed with features. Furthermore, Chevrolet h more »

A range of electric, hybrid and low carbon conventional cars will be available for test driving at 'Company Cars in Action' – a two day event to be held at Millbrook Proving Ground on June 26-27th. more »

The official CO2 emissions and fuel economy figures have been released for Toyota's new Plug-in Prius, confirming it as the most economic Toyota to ever reach British roads. The car will emit 49 g/km of more »

Toyota have released official figures for their Yaris Hybrid model – it will emit just 79 gCO2/km whilst returning a combined fuel economy of 80.7 mpg. First deliveries will be on July 1st with a starti more »

SCI hyMod is a highly innovative modular hybrid concept envisioned by a Romanian team of designers and engineers. hyMod proposes a modular structure that allows the user to select a drive-train depending on w more »

After confirmation of the Government's Plug-in Van Grant yesterday, several manufacturers released specific details of their eligible models. Among the first to qualify are the Mercedes-Benz Vito E-CELL, the more »

The Qualifying Low Emission Car Category (QUALEC) is due to be removed from April 6th 2012, resulting in an increase in company car tax for some employers and drivers of company cars. The definition of a more »

The first seven vans eligible for the Government's new Plug-in Van Grant have been announced by Transport Secretary Justine Greening and Business Minister Mark Prisk today. Van buyers will be able to rec more »

The first generation Renault Zoe will be launched in October this year, however a second edition due in 2014 is expected to have a range more than twice that of the first generation, of around 220 miles. more »

The low carbon motor show EcoVelocity, is set to be even bigger and better this year, after news that the event has joined forces with the organisers of Grand Designs Live and the shows will run side by side more »

Peugeot's new ultra-green 208 supermini, which boasts three diesels and one petrol engine under the magic 99 g/km mark and goes on sale in June, makes its UK fleet debut at the EV & Low CO2 Fleet Show at more »

Vauxhall's are a particularly popular choice for police cars in the UK – it appears that this is likely to continue, with police interest in the range-extended electric Ampera. Vauxhall has won a c more »

Toyota will launch their next hybridized model, the Yaris hybrid, in June. It will debut a lighter and more compact full hybrid system than those used in Prius and Auris models. Inside a modern supermini more »

There are two diesel variants in BMW's new 3 Series range that offer particularly low CO2 and high fuel economy – the new 320d Saloon with 120 gCO2/km and the 320d EfficientDynamics Saloon with just 109 more »

Major car manufacturers who have pioneered the development and production of electric vehicles, including Renault, Nissan, Peugeot and Citroen, will be backing the one-day EV & Low CO2 Fleet Show event at more »

Major fleet operators have been honoured for their green-friendly credentials at a special awards ceremony in Edinburgh. The ECOSTARS Edinburgh launch gave recognition to fleet operators who have achieve more »

A British-built Auris Hybrid, from Toyota's Burnaston factory in Derbyshire, has taken Toyota to a new sales landmark – their 400,000th hybrid sold in Europe was delivered yesterday (26th January). more »

Honda has announced that they have sold more than 800,000 hybrid vehicles since the first generation Honda Insight hit the road in November 1999. They were the first manufacturer in the world to launch a more »

Fleet World magazine and the British Vehicle Rental & Leasing Association are to hold a free one-day event to encourage the uptake of electric and low carbon vehicles, especially into fleets. The EV more »

In addition to the long awaited arrival of the Plug-in Prius scheduled for this summer, Toyota will be releasing a new-look Prius hybrid in March, priced from £21,350. Toyota plans to introduce ful more »

Following the successful launch of the UK's first eco motor show EcoVelocity in 2011, the show's organisers, IGME, have announced details for year two. The show will move from its inaugural launch locati more »

The North American International Auto Show 2012 (NAIAS) kicked off its press and industry previews this week, with the public show running from 14th until 22nd January. Renowned for being one of the larg more »

The first details and pictures of the new Yaris Hybrid have been release by Toyota, ahead of the public debut of the car at the Geneva motor show in March. The new model brings together the practicality more »

A former Californian lawyer is to take Honda to court after her 2006 Honda Civic hybrid failed to live up to its 50 mpg fuel economy expectations. Heather Peters, from Los Angeles has filed a $10,000 more »

The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) has reported on 2011's new car sales trends, announcing that the average CO2 of new cars has fallen to a record low and sales of alternatively fuelled veh more »

Next Green Car looks ahead to the greenest and most innovative cars due for launch in 2012. In 2012, purchase incentives for plug-in electric vehicles continue to be available, including the Plug-in Car more »

With a number of diesel-hybrid models to be launched in 2012, the HMRC has confirmed that diesel-hybrids will not incur the 3% Benefit in Kind (BIK) rate surcharge that all other diesel models receive. T more »

Imagine: You're in a dealership selecting a new car and you sit down with the salesperson to talk through the benefits of clean diesels and hybrids. It's really important, you remind them, that you get the sp more »

North East England has welcomed the announcement of a £6.2 million boost to the low carbon vehicle economy of the region, through the Government's Regional Growth Fund. At the core of the bid is a more »

In 2010, Kia was one of seven manufacturers to sign an agreement to make hydrogen fuel-cell (FCEV) vehicles commercially available by the middle of this decade. Being able to make its own electricity on more »

By introducing the CT 200h into their line-up, Lexus has been able to report a reduction in average CO2 of more than 22% over the last year. The CT 200h was the world's first premium compact car with a h more »

In 2009, Kia introduced the EcoDynamics programme to their model range – the sub-brand highlights Kia's commitment to manufacture good value, practical cars with reduced environmental impact. EcoDy more »

The EU's legally binding CO2 targets, whereby all new cars sold in Europe in 2015 should emit no more than 130 g/km on average, means that manufacturers are concentrating on tailpipe CO2 reduction. The target more »

More than 60 cars are confirmed for the RAC's Future Car Challenge from Brighton to London on Saturday 5 November 2011 – one of which will be driven by Next Green Car. Recent additions include two more »

Citroen's first ever hybrid model, the DS5 will full hybrid diesel technology, is to make its UK premiere at Top Gear Live at the NEC Birmingham and ExCel London venues. Taking place in November, this wi more »

BMW have announced that the sixth generation of their 3 Series model will go on sale in February 2012 – the popular 3 Series alone currently represents 20% of the company's global sales. Although more »

BMW announces the launch of the new ActiveHybrid 5 model for February 2012, a petrol-electric saloon based on the 5 Series. The BMW ActiveHybrid 5 delivers similar performance to a 535i, but with 16% low more »

One of the world's newest car companies, Fisker, will introduce its first models in the UK soon through a dealership in London – but it plans to expand when right hand drive versions arrive from 2014. more »

The UK motor show dedicated to electric and ultra-low carbon vehicles is now well under way, after having been officially opened by Boris Johnson on Thursday. Next Green Car visited the iconic Battersea Power more »

The new Peugeot 3008 HYbrid4, the world's first full diesel hybrid is now available to pre-order with full prices and specifications announced for this multi-award winning vehicle. This environmentally f more »

Dr Ben Lane of Next Green Car will today be taking questions live on all issues related to the environmental impact of electric cars. The third of six Q&A sessions are part of 'Electric Vision', a web-b more »

London is to play host to the eco-motor show, EcoVelocity – a green motoring festival packed with the very latest no compromise, hi-tech and ultra low carbon vehicles. The 4-day event runs from Thu more »

Peugeot has announced that they will be deploying their diesel-electric hybrid technology on the 508 RXH – following on from its first use in the 3008 HYbrid4 model, on sale later this year. Peugeo more »

Volvo's fuel saving start-stop technology, which reduces CO2 emissions by up to 8%, has been added to six-speed Geartronic automatic gearbox models for the first time. To begin with, the start-stop techn more »

Toyota will debut the production version of the Prius Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV) at the Frankfurt Motor Show on 15th September. The Prius Plug-in Hybrid represents the latest development of T more »

Low Carbon Expo 2011, the first low carbon exhibition to be held in Wales, will be held at Cardiff Motorpoint Arena on 16-17 September – bringing businesses and consumers together under one roof, over 3 more »

Next Green Car today announces the winners of the Next Green Car Awards 2011, the most scientifically-based Green Car Awards in the UK. Awards are given for eight vehicle classes and a new 'Next Genera more »

Peugeot has today announced the launch of a second diesel hybrid, the 508 RXH. The 508 RXH will follow Peugeot’s first diesel hybrid model, the 3008 HYbrid4 which is being launched later this year more »

Whether or not the electric car succeeds in becoming the mainstream vehicle technology of the twenty-first century, electrification has already left its mark on power-train design. With early innovation more »

A group of students at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) have developed a new battery design that solves many of the problems inherent in Lithium or Nickel based cells. The new breakthrough more »

Ford is expanding its industry leading range of fuel-efficient powertrains with the addition of an all-new 1.0-litre EcoBoost three-cylinder engine, to be launched globally in smaller Ford models. Develo more »

GreenFleet held their annual Arrive 'N' Drive event yesterday at Rockingham Motor Speedway; the event provided an extensive demonstration of low and zero emission cars and commercial vehicles for visitors to more »

The SMMT Industry Forum has replaced its fleet of Avensis saloons after five years use with six Auris Hybrids, built at Toyota's manufacturing plant in Burnaston, Derbyshire. By downsizing and switching more »

Jaguar has confirmed today that the C-X75 will go into production as an exclusive hybrid supercar, after its debut as a concept at the 2010 Paris Motor Show. Scheduled to be built in Britain in partnersh more »

Auto Shanghai 2011 is open to visitors from 21th until 28th April, an event at which Citroen have already revealed the third model in its innovative DS line: the DS5. The DS5 is the first Citroen model t more »

It was not so long ago that hybrid cars were considered cutting edge technology, and it was still a novelty to actually see one on the roads. Things have certainly moved on since the late 1990s when the more »

Peugeot is now taking orders for the Peugeot 3008 HYbrid4 – the world's first full diesel hybrid car. While petrol hybrids are almost commonplace on UK roads, no manufacturers have released a diese more »

Jaguar's jet-powered C-X75 hybrid sports car wins the Louis Vuitton Classic Concept Award. First unveiled at the 2010 Paris Motor Show, the C-X75 is a ground-breaking range-extended electric vehicle that more »

The latest generation of Honda Jazz models, including the new hybrid version, are now available to take home from UK showrooms – just in time for the new '11' registration plate. The Jazz hybrid is more »

This year's GreenFleet Arrive 'N' Drive event will take place on May 26th 2011 – a must-go-to event for all fleet managers aiming to reduce fuel costs and emissions. The Show, which is held at the more »

Ford are to make a series of major new vehicle announcements at the 81st Geneva Motor Show in March. At the Show, Ford plan to unveil new additions to its product range whilst highlighting the exclusive more »

The New Peugeot 308 'micro-hybrid' will be launched in the UK in May with a new look, a range of innovative technology and CO2 emissions from just 98g/km. Since launch in 2007 over 900,000 308 models hav more »

The new Volkswagen XL1 Super Efficient Vehicle (SEV) has been unveiled at the Qatar Motor Show. Pioneering construction techniques, an advanced plug-in hybrid drivetrain and innovative packaging all pl more »

Technical specifications and performance are confirmed today for Infiniti’s first hybrid and the most powerful new member of the luxury Infiniti M family. While greener hybrids are available, the more »

While the London Congestion Charge today increases by £2/day for most motorists, the Greener Vehicle Discount is also introduced for the lowest emission cars. As of this morning, the Alternative Fu more »

Next Green Car looks ahead to the greenest and most innovative cars due for launch in 2011. New incentives for plug-in electric vehicles, including the Plug-in Car Grant, will kick-off in January 2011, more »

An improved Honda Insight hybrid, featuring adjusted suspension to improve ride comfort and NVH (noise, vibration, harshness) levels and enhanced trim levels is now on British roads, with CO2 now form just 10 more »