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 mia electric and Renault's Kangoo Z.E. To qualify, a van must emit less than 75 g/km CO2, be capable of at least 60 miles between charges and more than 50 mph top speed. It must also co...

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 QUALEC is a car that has been registered after January 1st 1998 that has CO2 emissions that do not exceed a statutory limit for the tax year – currently 120 g/km. Company car tax...

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 receive 20% – up to £8,000 – off the cost of this first wave of seven plug-in vans. At an event today to launch the eligible vans, Justine Greening said, "Our new grant d...

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. Unlike the Fluence and Kangoo Z.E. models, the Zoe has been designed from scratch to accommodate an electric drivetrain. The first Zoe version will be launched with a 100 mile range, simila...

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 at ExCel London. The company behind the popular Grand Designs Live show and The Ideal Home Show, Media 10, have purchased a majority stake in IGME Ltd, the EcoVelocity organisers. The p...

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 Silverstone on April 18th. Peugeot will also unveil the 508 RXH with its latest ground breaking diesel-electric HYbrid4 technology at the Show to an expected audience of more than 500 f...

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 competition run by the Association of Chief Police Officers Intelligent Transport Systems (ACPO ITS) by demonstrating that the Ampera can be fitted with cutting-edge crime-fighting technology...

Tesla has released some initial details of their next electric vehicle, the Model X SUV. Although production will not begin until late 2013, reservations are now welcomed by Tesla. The Model X will follow on from the Roaster and Model S as Tesla's third electric vehicle. It has been designed from the bottom up, to blend the best of an SUV with benefits of an MPV, whilst producing zero tailp...

Nissan and Europcar, the leading car hire company in Europe, have announced that as of February, the all-electric Nissan LEAF will be available for short term hire in two of the world's busiest capitals: London and Paris. From February, the 2011 World and European Car of The Year will be available for hire bringing the LEAF to a wider audience. "There are two distinct reasons for joini...

To support London 2012's vision is to be the sustainable Olympic and Paralympic Games, the London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games (LOCOG) has commissioned ChargePoint Services Ltd (CPS) to supply and install electric vehicle chargers and provide on-going after sales support. CPS will supply 120 GE Energy's DuraStation electric vehicle chargers for the fleet of 200 BMW and MINI ele...

Charge your Car (CYC), the North East's Plugged-in-Places programme, has launched a scheme that will allow all electric vehicle drivers, even those who are not CYC members, to charge their vehicles while travelling throughout the region. Now underway, this is the first Pay-as-you-Go electric vehicle charging scheme to go live in the UK, and will allow electric car owners to access charge po...

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 every inch of space counts – which is why Toyota are being careful that in creating the Yaris hybrid, fitting the new powertrain will not come at the cost of interior space. The ...

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 gCO2/km. The 3 Series Saloon is the heart of the BMW brand, responsible for one-fifth of the company's global sales. By maintaining BMW's performance and build quality reputation, the ...

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 the world-famous Silverstone circuit in April. They join a growing number of manufacturers, including makers of conventionally powered, low-emission and hybrid vehicles, who are attend...

New TDIe versions of the Audi A5 Coupe and Sportback have made the model particularly efficient, bringing 64.2 mpg potential with CO2 outputs as low as 115 g/km. The 2.0 litre TDIe engines used in the coupe models deliver 163PS, and the Sportback offers a 136PS version with similar attributes. The range is now available with a new cost-effective SE Technik specification, and priced from jus...

One month ahead of UK showroom launch, Renault has delivered its first Fluence Z.E. saloons to London's largest eco-friendly car services, greentomatocars and Climatecars. Each company are receiving two of the five-seat all-electric saloons in metallic silver. The Fluence Z.E. will be London's first 100% electric private hire car with a range of up to 115 miles on a single charge. Toda...

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 achieved five stars for environmental performance, helping reduce carbon emissions and improve Edinburgh's air quality. Highland Explorer Tours, City Circle Coaches, NEXT and DHL were amongst ...

SKODA will present the new Citigo to the public as a five-door version for the first time at the Geneva Motor Show in early 2012, offering another fuel efficient and low emission city car to European markets. It is a model very closely based on the Volkswagen Up! and SEAT Mii, and will offer similar engines, with similar fuel consumption figures –c additional features, trim levels and...

Ford's new ultra-efficient, turbocharged, high-tech direct injection 1.0-litre EcoBoost engine goes on sale across the Ford Focus range in the UK, as of next month. This unique EcoBoost engine delivers performance to rival a traditional 1.6-litre engine with significantly improved fuel efficiency and class-leading ultra-low CO2 emissions. The 1.0-litre, three-cylinder EcoBoost engine i...

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). The vehicle was handed over to Valentine Nkwocha, a company car driver for CTG, an IT company in Belgium. The Auris Hybrid, the first full hybrid power Toyota to be built in Europe, h...

Chevrolet UK has been contacted by 2,500 people "who said they want to talk to us about the Volt," managing director Mark Terry said, adding that he expects there to be more customers than cars, certainly for the foreseeable future. The UK pricing for the range-extended electric Chevrolet Volt was confirmed in 2011 at £28,545, including the Government's £5,000 Plug-in Car Grant ...

The new Kia Rio is available to order now in three door guise for the first time in its history. The new version will be priced from just £9,995 on-the-road. The line-up of engines, trim levels and external dimensions from the five door, that went on sale in September last year, are carried over to 3-door Rio. A coupe-like side profile and a –600 saving, compared to equivalent f...

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 hybrid model – with the first Insight delivering 83 miles per gallon giving it the highest fuel economy among all petrol powered vehicles at the time. Honda now sells seven hybri...

A Nottinghamshire based printer, RCS Printers plc, is using the 100% electric Nissan LEAF as an integral part of its corporate commitment to reduce energy use and its overall carbon footprint. RCS has purchased six Nissan LEAFs from Lightcliffe Nissan, Halifax, for use by a number of its 120-strong staff, including company founder and managing director Michael Todd. Most importantly, b...

Hyundai has announced full pricing and specification for its new generation five-door i30 hatchback. Due to launch in the UK on 12th March, it will be a very cost effective model to own. With pricing starting at £14,495 on-the-road, CO2 figures from 97 g/km and fuel economy up to 76.3 mpg, the i30 will become the lowest priced hatchback with highest fuel efficiency in the small family...

2012 to 2015 is expected to be the most crucial period for the electric vehicle charging infrastructure market to advance, according to Growth Partnership Company Frost & Sullivan. Central and local Governments will play a crucial role in the development and roll out of a widespread infrastructure, and London is expected to become the European capital of electric vehicles (EVs). A...

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 and Low CO2 Fleet Show is an annual event, and this year will be held at Silverstone race track in Northamptonshire on Wednesday 18th April. Manufacturers including Renault, BMW, Toyota, Lex...

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 full hybrid technology across its core model range, but in the mean time they will continue to refine the quality, performance and owner-appeal of the Prius – the world's best-known and b...

Transport Minister Norman Baker opened the UK's first DC rapid electric vehicle charger at Midlands printing company RCS this morning. Delivered to RCS in Retford, Nottinghamshire, by power and automation technology group ABB, the government's commitment to ultra-low carbon transport was highlighted by having Norman Baker officially unveil the charging unit. RCS, a fast-growing company...

A ground breaking project to ensure the UK is well positioned for the commercial roll-out of hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles has been launched, Business Minister Mark Prisk announced today. The new initiative – UKH2Mobility – brings together three Government Departments and 13 industrial partners from the utility, gas, infrastructure and global car manufacturing sectors. ...

BMW has issued a recall on 235,000 MINI vehicles worldwide – around 30,000 Cooper S and John Cooper Works models in the UK. The concern is an issue with the electric circuit board that makes up part of the water pump. MINI says that it is possible that the electrics could smoulder and potentially catch fire. The vehicles affected are those that were manufactured between March 200...

Van buyers will be able to receive 20% – up to £8,000 – off the cost of a plug-in electric van, Transport Minister Norman Baker and Business Minister Mark Prisk announced today. This is an extension of the Plug-In Car Grant which offers 25% – up to £5000 – to motorists buying a new plug-in car. Ministers have also re-confirmed there is funding secured for...

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 location of Battersea Power Station to ExCeL, London – and will run from May 10th through to May 13th 2012. Giles Brown, managing director of organisers IGME Ltd commented, "EcoVelocity...

The new generation SEAT Ibiza will arrive in the UK in the spring – to date, the Ibiza has been SEAT's most successful model. The new line-up will offer a large breadth of variations to meet almost any need, from an ultra-efficient E Ecomotive option to sportier versions and an estate model, all packed with innovative technologies and improved functionality and quality. The Ibiza...

The all-new Kia Optima saloon is set to go on sale in the UK from 1 February, bringing low running costs and emissions as well as high specification levels to the D-segment. Pricing starts at £19,595 on-the-road. Unveiled in 2010 at the New York Auto Show, the Optima has proven to be a global success since day one. It became Korea's top-selling car within a month of going on sale, and...

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 largest car shows worldwide, with over 500 vehicles on display, this year's show has already been reported as being filled with enthusiasm and excitement, especially towards models using cutting...

Vauxhall has opened its order books for the revolutionary Ampera E-REV, and announced full specs and pricing – the first Amperas will arrive in showrooms on May 1st 2012. Details of its 23-strong Ampera dealership network have also been released, but each owner will also be allocated a personal Vauxhall HQ-based customer liaison contact. The Ampera will be offered in three trim l...

Electric vehicle charging manufacturers, POD Point, are celebrating 100,000 miles of electric motoring in the UK thanks to their network of charge points, fuelled by a growing public demand for electric vehicles. The Nissan Leaf may well have led the way in 2011 when it comes to electric vehicles, but 2012 is set to see many more electric models launched from almost all of the world's major...

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 and agile handling of Yaris with the high efficiency and refined driving experience of Toyota's Hybrid Synergy Drive powertrain, currently used in the Prius and Auris models. The Yaris ...

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 suit against Honda in the small claims court as the hybrid that she bought returned fuel economy figures far from those officially quoted by Honda. Peter's will argue that Honda were e...

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 vehicles have risen. New car demand totalled 1,941,253 units in 2011, which was down 4.4% on 2010 figures but still ahead of sales forecasts for the year. Private sales were down 14.1% ove...

Two of PSA Peugeot Citroen's most popular city cars, the Peugeot 107 and the Citroen C1, will be upgraded for 2012 with both their CO2 emissions falling to 99 g/km. Both models will use a 1.0 litre 3-cylinder petrol engine to lower emissions and improve fuel economy. The result will be that neither model will have to pay London's congestion charge or any VED road tax. To be introduced ...

At the 2012 North American International Auto Show in Detroit, Volvo will unveil an innovative petrol plug-in hybrid, to follow their V60 diesel plug-in hybrid model confirmed for later this year. The Volvo XC60 Plug-in Hybrid Concept is an electric car, an economical hybrid and a powerful high-performance car all rolled into one – the driver can switch between power sources at the to...

Mitsubishi Motors in the UK has announced that all its franchised dealers are to become fully functioning Mitsubishi Electric Vehicle Centres starting from January 2012. By the end of March 2012, the approved dealerships will have two fully trained EV sales personnel as well as aftersales technicians. The move is particularly exciting as Mitsubishi Motors looks forward to the arrival of its...

New initiatives, stemming from the Mayor's Air Quality Strategy and delivered by Transport for London, were introduced yesterday (3 January), which will deter older heavy duty diesel vehicles from driving in London through changes to the Low Emission Zone (LEZ). The principle aim is to lower particulate matter (tiny airborne particles generated largely from road transport) emissions in the ...

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 Grant, which is worth up to £5,000 on selected models. The coming year also promises a second electric revolution with the launch of the first two plug-in hybrids, which join the p...

The first three quarters of 2011 witnessed a significant slump in petrol sales in the UK, and the AA has said that this is a trend that is likely to continue into 2012. Petrol sales at the pumps between January and September 2011 totalled 13.9 billion litres – compared with 14.9 billion litres between the same months in 2010 (a fall over over 6%), and 16.3 billion litres in the pre-re...

With the arrival of Kangoo Van Z.E., the first model in Renault's four-strong electric vehicle line-up, the French carmaker has confirmed the first wave of UK dealers for its electric vehicles (EVs). Twenty one electric vehicle sites, branded Z.E. Expert, are now live and ready to offer the full range of sales and after-sales services for Renault's electric vehicle customers, with each one ...

In an exclusive, Next Green Car can reveal the latest sleigh technology being used by Santa's mobility unit to provide as-fast-as-light travel for its present delivery platform. Following the recent breaking research from the Large Hadron Collider at Cern, the European particle physics laboratory near Geneva, evidence is closing in on the Higgs boson, the particle thought to give all other ...

Renault has announced that it will be restructuring its business in the UK, by dropping five combustion engine models and focusing on its electric vehicle range in an attempt to improve profitability. From February 2012, Renault will halt the supply of the conventional Kangoo, Modus, Wind Roadster, Laguna and Espace models and reducing its dealer network by around a third – they will ...

Renault UK is proud to announce that they have made delivery of their first vehicle from the new Zero Emissions (Z.E.) range, a all-electric Kangoo Van. Accepting the keys at Milton Keynes dealership Marshall Renault, one of Renault's 21 Z.E. Expert dealers, printer Patrick Chard is now enjoying silent, zero-emission driving in the first of Renault's electric vehicle range to reach our shor...

In anticipation of their new electric Model S due for US customers in 2012, Tesla are pleased to announce final pricing and options for reservation holders. Due to volatility in global currency rates, UK pricing will not be confirmed until 6 months prior to the start of deliveries here, likely to be in early 2013. However, the US price tag will form a good guide. Rumours were circulati...

Due for UK arrival in spring 2012, Volkswagen's new Up! will come with a five-star Euro NCAP test rating as well as a class leading 1E insurance group rating. It's not just the entry-level £7,995 1.0-litre 60 PS Take Up! that qualifies for the lowest group – both the £8,970 Move Up! and £9,330 Move Up! with BlueMotion Technology are also in group 1E. The Up! is ...

Sewdish car maker Saab has officially filed for bankruptcy, according to a Swedish court. Chinese investors were interested in raising funds to keep Saab in operation, but General Motors (GM), who own part of Saab, did not want the Chinese carmakers having access to its technology licences. Several Chinese companies had expressed an interest in saving the troubled brand, but the inter...

Ecotricity, leading green electricity provider, has installed a network of electric vehicle charging stations in motorway service stations, making it possible to travel between major cities without running out of power. The 'electric highway' officially opens this weekend, and will initially link London, Bristol, Exeter, Birmingham, Manchester, Liverpool and the Lake District. Ecotricity ha...

The Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, has won a prestigious award for his efforts in promoting electric vehicles. The world's largest network of professional motor industry communicators, MIPAA Limited, presents its annual Chairman's Award to recognise an outstanding contribution to public relations. The accolade has previously been received by Robert Llewellyn, Chris Evans, Ken Gibson, Lord...

Siemens, the global engineering and technology giant, has chosen Nissan LEAFs to become the first electric vehicles on its UK fleet. Three Nissan LEAFs are now in use as employee pool cars at the Siemens Industrial Turbo Machinery business in Lincolnshire – with a further seven vehicles to be used at other UK locations, including its new Renewable Engineering Centre in Manchester. ...

A prototype zero-emission all-electric Nissan NV200 delivery vehicle is ready to start extensive real-world testing on the streets of London. FedEx Express and Nissan are collaborating over a two month period to evaluate how the NV200 electric vehicle (EV) prototype copes with the rigours of daily duties in the capital. The Nissan NV200 EV prototype uses the same EV powertrain and batt...

The Volvo V60 Plug-in Hybrid is the world's first diesel plug-in hybrid and is Volvo's most technically advanced model ever – an electric, hybrid and performance car all rolled into one. The indicative price of the V60 is starting at between £45,000 and £50,000 in the UK, minus the Government's Plug-in car grant that it will qualify for on launch. Sales get under way ...

The future looks bright for North East England's low carbon vehicle industry, thanks to the development of a new company set up to oversee the growth of the sector. Gateshead College has established a new company; Zero Carbon Futures, to deliver a range of local and national programmes all geared up to advance the region as a European leader in the production of low carbon vehicles. This fo...

An announcement has been made by Transport Minister Mike Penning which has confirmed that learner drivers will finally be allowed to drive on motorways, with their instructors, before having passed their tests. The decision was made as part of an attempt to reduce motorway accidents among young drivers. Mr Penning says that it is wrong that drivers are suddenly allowed to drive alone on mot...

When most people hear the words 'fuel cell', they think of eco-friendly, hydrogen-powered cars that emit nothing more than water. And that, says Professor Eric Wachsman, director of the University of Maryland Energy Research Center (UMERC), is one of the reasons we're all not driving one. The US Department of Energy's (DOE) recent decisions about how to fund fuel cell research, he says...

A new electric car rental scheme has gone live in Paris this week – the new Autolib system allows you to rent a vehicle in a similar way to London's 'Boris Bikes' scheme. The project went live on Monday with 250 electric vehicles. The small EVs are called 'Bluecars'; 4-seater pure electric citycars that can be docked at a number of bays around Paris, each equipped with charging facili...

Toyota has named British Gas as its preferred supplier of electric vehicle charging points, ahead of introducing the new Prius Plug-in Hybrid to the UK market in 2012. British Gas will be offering Toyota customers – both private and business buyers – a range of products and services for safe, convenient and efficient vehicle recharging, designed to suit individual needs and pref...

The new British-built Avensis makes its entrance sporting Toyota's 2.0 litre D-4D engine with CO2 emissions reduced to 119 g/km and fuel economy raised to 61.4 mpg. Along with new styling, extra equipment and improved ride comfort, the improved efficiency bring with it reduced running costs making it a likely attractive option for both private and business users. The revised engine sup...

Volvo has announced the latest step in its 'DRIVe towards Zero' emissions strategy with the launch of an automatic gearbox option in four Volvo DRIVe models – the S60, V60, V70 and the S80. For the first time, these DRIVe models can now be ordered with Volvo's Powershift dual-clutch automatic gearbox. There will be no compromise on environmental care or economy as the automatic gearbo...

Production of the all-electric LEAF and its batteries at Nissan's Sunderland plant will be supported by a £189 million investment from the European Investment Bank (EIB). The development of the LEAF and its electric batteries represent a £420 million investment by Nissan, and expected to maintain 2,250 jobs at Nissan and across the UK supply chain. Nissan has also already receiv...

In his Spending Review, the Chancellor today deferred the 3.02 pence per litre (ppl) fuel duty increase that was due to take effect on 1st January 2012 until August 2012. The inflation increase that was due for August 2012 will also be cancelled – this was expected to be worth 1.92 ppl. This will mean that there will only be one RPI increase during 2012. There will also be a 5 pp...

A survey conducted by the AA questioned over 16,000 of their members to reveal the likely effects that the proposed fuel duty rise will have on motoring habits. The Government have planned two fuel duty rises for next year, with VAT adding 8p to petrol and diesel pump prices – the survey suggests that this will force many households to abandon or delay spending on household goods, hom...

Elektromotive, the Brighton-based electric vehicle charging point manufacturer, is urging the Government to continue offering the Plug-In Car Grant to buyers of electric vehicles into the next parliamentary session. The £5,000 incentive, available to motorists buying EVs such as the Nissan LEAF, is due for review in early 2012, but after a slow year of UK new car sales, there is conce...

Chargemaster's installation of their POLAR electric vehicle recharging network is now well under way – set to be one of the largest networks in the world with 4,000 public points supplemented by hundreds of home charging units. Around 40 points have been designated for 100 of the largest towns in the UK, all expected to be fully operational by the end of 2012. This will significantly ...

Jaguar Land Rover has won SMMT's 2011 Award for Automotive Innovation for its prototype Range_e – the world's first luxury Plug-in Hybrid Electric 4X4 with integrated V6 diesel engine. The system, first revealed at the Geneva Motor Show in March, has been hailed by the auto industry as the most significant achievement of the year in UK research and development for the global market. ...

Peugeot has delivered an iOn to the idyllic islands of Orkney, making it the most northerly all-electric car in Britain. In a drive to cut fuel bills and reduce emissions, Orkney Island Council has become the latest Scottish authority to boost its fleet with one. And, as the success of the electric car grows and its capabilities become more widely recognised, the Leader of the Council ...

There is a groundswell of opinion which says that fuel consumption and tailpipe emissions should not be the only factors taken into account when deciding if a car is 'green' – a view fully supported by Next Green Car. The energy needed to make it and its fuel, and the number of parts which can be recycled at the end of its life, are also factors that should be taken into consideration...

A new report from the National Non-Food Crops Centre (NNFCC) suggests that the UK is not on track to reach its renewable transport fuel targets. The study concludes that significant investment into new generation biofuels is essential if targets are to be met. New technologies – like gasification and pyrolysis – allow biofuels to be made from a wide range of sustainable ma...

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. The 3% levy cannot apply to diesel hybrids because the ITEPA 2003 regulatory document that controls company car tax defines a 'diesel car' as being 'propelled solely by diesel'. This wi...

In response to new data sets and the imminent launch of new technology plug-in hybrids, we have updated our fuel and technology database, and redesigned the way we present our Green Car Rating information. This update will enable us to show you more information on each model page, including the emissions and environmental impacts using different fuels. For example, the Nissan LEAF mod...

The Nissan LEAF completed the 60-mile Brighton to London RAC Future Car Challenge route whilst using just £1.83 worth of energy – helping it to win two awards on the day. Competing against 49 other cars, the Nissan LEAF won 'The Best Overall Vehicle on Sale at Time of Event' for its low energy consumption, as well as the 'Most Energy Efficient Regular Production Car'. Accor...

Leaders in the drive to cut carbon emissions from road transport have been announced at a prestigious ceremony in London. The LowCVP Low Carbon Champions Awards recognise best practice in key areas from vehicle manufacturing and fleet operation to the development of products and services that reduce greenhouse gases from road transport operations. The winners were announced at the ...

Volvo is backing the House of Commons Environmental Audit Select Committee's call for a Government public awareness campaign to educate people about the action they could take to improve air quality, and ultimately their health. In 2010, Volvo launched its Emissions Equality campaign, dedicated to educating motorists about the wider picture of car emissions, rather than just CO2 alone. It i...

SEAT is working on its first electric car, which will be designed and manufactured in Spain. The firm is unveiling the prototype Altea XL Electric Ecomotive, a totally electrically-driven zero-emissions car, as well as the prototype Leon TwinDrive Ecomotive, a plug-in hybrid. Over the next few months the Spanish car maker will make available units of both models to government institutions i...

Qualcomm Incorporated, world leader in 3G and next generation mobile technologies, has announced the first Wireless Electric Vehicle Charging (WEVC) trial for London, in what is a UK and industry-leading initiative. Qualcomm is collaborating with the UK Government, as well as the Mayor of London's office and Transport for London (TfL) to deliver the trial, which is expected to begin early n...

Citroen has announced the introduction of its most CO2 efficient conventionally powered model to date – the new C3 e-HDi 70 Airdream EGS VTR+. With emissions of just 87 g/km and combined cycle economy of 83.1 mpg, this new version of the C3 supermini is now Citroen's most fuel and CO2 efficient diesel powered car, ranking it amongst the very best in its class. First displayed at...

Nissan is accelerating plans for a European-wide Quick Charge network for electric vehicles by giving away 400 new quick charging stations free of charge. These new points will boost existing networks and give electric vehicle customers greater freedom and flexibility by effectively extending the range of their car. Countries across Europe have been asked to pitch for a charging networ...

Toyota has won the 2011 Green Manufacturing Award in recognition of the outstanding environmental achievements of its European operations. The honour has been presented to Toyota Motor Europe, the company which controls Toyota's Burnaston and Deeside plants, at the fifth annual Strategic Manufacturing Awards ceremony by the World Trade Group. The award recognises the best performance i...

Next Green Car successfully completed this year's RAC Future Car Challenge co-driving Toyota's hydrogen fuel cell powered Highlander from Brighton to London. Next Green Car would like to thank Toyota for allowing us to drive their fuel cell model at the RAC's Future Car Challenge. The event, which was held on Saturday, was a great success with more than 60 green cars completing the 60 mile ...

Next Green Car will be taking part in this year's RAC Future Car Challenge, driving a hydrogen fuel cell powered Toyota Highlander 60 miles from Brighton to London. Taking place this Saturday, November 5th, over 60 cars have confirmed their attendance, making the event the largest low carbon vehicle rally in the UK. The winner of the event will be the vehicle which uses the least amount of ...

Only a third of councils surveyed by the RAC Foundation say they have installed public charging points for electric vehicles, and the promotion of green vehicles varies significantly between local authorities. Even the most progressive authorities are only using a fraction of the powers available to them to encourage drivers to use low and ultra-low carbon cars. The survey of councils ...

Clean vehicle technology specialist Zytek has won a £1.35 million grant from the UK Government's Regional Growth Fund to support the development of an Electric Powertrain Technologies Centre. Based at the company's technical centre in Staffordshire (UK), the new facility will create 44 jobs developing low carbon technologies for the automotive and other industries. "Zytek has man...

Peugeot will launch an all-new model into the supermini segment in the UK next spring – a super efficient model that will be available in both 3 and 5-door options. The Peugeot 208 is expected to follow on from successful predecessors, namely the iconic 205, 206 and 207 models. With an ambitious specification overhaul, the 208 will represent a true generation leap. By achieving a...

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 spec right as you want to cut your fuel costs and emissions. What is your reaction to being told that the only fuel use and CO2 data is the average shown on the Fuel Economy Label with n...

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 plan to create 1,500 apprenticeships in the low carbon vehicle sector, with the aim of securing a positive future in an industry that is already flourishing in the region. The Regional ...

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 the move whilst emitting no CO2 and offering a long driving range, fuel-cell vehicles are regarded as the solution for a zero-emission future. Hydrogen cars are one strand of Kia's alte...

2011 was expected to become the 'year of the electric car' here in the UK, with the Government's £5,000 Plug-in Car Grant thought to have sparked a boom in EV sales. However, recent figures from the Department for Transport have shown that the uptake of EVs has been slowing, suggesting that consumer interest may have already peaked. The Office of Low Emission Vehicles (OLEV) only...

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 hybrid drivetrain, and has significantly helped Lexus achieve the sharpest fall in average CO2 emissions compared to any other car manufacturer in the UK. The latest 'cleangreencars' ind...

Nissan Motor Company today announced its new six-year environmental plan, Nissan Green Program 2016 (NGP 2016). Their new strategy will focus on three areas: reduction of carbon footprint, shift to renewable energy and an increase in the diversity of resources used by Nissan. NGP 2016 represents the pillar of sustainability in Nissan's Blue Citizenship, the company's strategic platform...

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. EcoDynamics is a green umbrella for a range of technologies. Ultimately it will lead to alternative-fuel cars with zero tailpipe emissions, a process that is already under-way. Battery electric K...

The Economist has awarded their 2011 'Energy and the Environment' Award to Chetan Maini, co-founder of REVA Electric Vehicle Company from Bangalore, India. Chetan Maini co-founded the REVA Electric Vehicle Company in Bangalore in 1994. The company built the first electric vehicle in India and in 2004 then started to export them to the UK under the well-known G-Wiz brand. Maini has bee...

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 targets extend to a 95 g/km threshold by 2020. Volvo Car Corporation tops the tables among European carmakers when it comes to CO2 reductions. This is shown in the sixth annual analysis condu...

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 Peugeot 3008 HYbrid4 diesel development cars entered via Robert Bosch GB and What Car?. Peugeot UK has also entered a Peugeot 508 e-HDi (one of the lowest CO2 emissions upper-medium sized ca...

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 will be the public's first opportunity to meet the hybrid DS5, likely to be a popular choice in 2012 for CO2 conscious customers. In the first quarter of 2012, the DS5 hybrid will launch ...

Justine Greening replaces Phillip Hammond as Secretary of State for Transport, as Hammond becomes Defence Secretary following Liam Fox's recent resignation. Greening, previously Treasury Economic Secretary, is MP for Putney, Roehampton and Southfields, and becomes the 14th Transport Secretary in the last 23 years. Although Greening is yet to comment upon any transport propositions, she...

Offering improved performance, efficiency and lower fuel consumption, the new twin dry clutch semi-automatic transmission, ALFA TCT, is available on the five-door Alfa Giulietta hatchback. Introducing this new transmission technology into the Giulietta has labelled the C segment model as the lowest CO2 emitting car of any petrol engine vehicle in its class. Equipped with the next-gene...

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 just four versions will be available from launch, additional engines will be added to result in BMW offering eight versions of the 3 Series saloon with CO2 emissions at or below 120 g/km, in...

Building upon the success of Paris's popular Velib bike rental scheme, and by extension our Boris Bikes scheme, the City of Lights could soon become the City of Electric Cars. An innovative new electric car rental scheme has recently launched in France's capital. Known as Autolib (short for 'automobile' and 'liberte'), a fleet of electric bubble-shaped 'Bluecars' have been deployed in Paris...

Lucky Metro reader Nicola Ahmed has today taken delivery of her new pure electric Mitsubishi i-MiEV. Nicola won the car in a recent competition in conjunction with the Metro newspaper and was handed over by our North West approved Mitsubishi EV dealer, Manchester Mitsubishi. Nicola, aged 22 from Cheshire, completed an online competition, which ran from May to September. Readers were as...

While studies suggest that that 80% of all EV charging will either be done at home or at the workplace, the lack of publicly available fast charging points continues to deter car buyers from considering the electric option. A new prouct from npower aims to remove this this potential barrier by providing a cost-effective charger for on-street and off-road use. The 'combi-station juice...

Other than 'range anxiety', probably the next largest drawback of today's electric vehicles is the amount of time it takes to charge up the batteries – even a DC rapid charger takes 30 minutes to deliver an 80% charge. However, Nissan and Japan's Kansai University have announced that they have developed super-rapid charging system that could charge up an electric vehicle in just 10 mi...

Hyper-milers taking part in the 2011 ALD Automotive/Shell FuelSave MPG Marathon have once again demonstrated that the use of smarter driving techniques can indeed save a considerable amount of money at the fuel pumps. The highly competitive annual economy driving event, now in its eleventh year, aims to get motorists thinking about the way they drive, and the impact this has on their vehicl...

The new Volkswagen Up! is now available to order; a city specialist that will be arriving in UK showrooms in spring 2012. The OTR pricing starts at £7,995 and rises to £11,180 for the higher specification. First seen at this year's Frankfurt Motor Show, the Up! is an entirely new city car that will be available with a choice of two petrol engines as well as with Volkswagen's eff...

New evidence suggests that the recent government-backed MINI E trials have generated a significant amount of consumer interest in environmentally friendly vehicles. A popular motoring website, Autotrader.co.uk, revealed that there was a sudden 8% increase in searches for greener vehicles at the time of the trials, compared to the previous month. The month-on-month rise in searches coin...

A car dealership and fleet management company has become the first business in the UK to train its workers in a potentially life-saving new electric vehicle (EV) qualification. Vic Young Group, in South Shields, South Tyneside, is the first automotive company to complete a BTEC Level 2 in EV Hazard Management. The course teaches mechanics and engineers how to safely maintain and repair EVs ...

Nissan has added another six locations to the network of dealerships equipped to sell and service the 100% electric Nissan LEAF, the reigning European Car of the Year. The dealerships have been appointed to further improve the regional coverage for LEAF customers in the UK, and take the number of Nissan EV dealers to 32. These new dealers will be the first in the UK to install the new,...

Little Chef, the iconic chain of road-side restaurants, is to roll out electric vehicle (EV) charging points across the UK, in what is the largest deployment of charging points by any restaurant chain worldwide. The new infrastructure is being developed in a partnership with SSE, a generator of renewable energy and Chargemaster, a provider of EV charging technology. The new points bei...

SEAT is unveiling the all-new Mii city car, expected to be a practical, fun and efficient solution to urban driving. If you think you have seen it before, you are probably thinking of Volkswagen's Up! model revealed at this year's Frankfurt Motor Show. The Mii is similar, only with SEAT's added Spanish flair. Spain, SEAT's home market, will begin sales of the Mii before the end of the ...

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% lower fuel consumption and CO2 emissions – meaning that it sits 6 bands lower in the benefit-in-kind company car tax scale. The new model features intelligent energy management to ma...

The government is planning to raise the motorway speed limit from 70 mph to 80 mph, expected to be enforced from 2013. The Transport secretary, Philip Hammond, believes that increasing the 50 year old speed limit will generate economic benefit by shortening journey times. Most motorists (apparently) welcome the announcement, and with 49% of drivers already regularly travelling over 70 ...

The manufacture of a liquid fuel using only air, water and renewable energy is to be demonstrated here in the UK by Air Fuel Synthesis. Taking hydrogen from rainwater and mixing it with carbon dioxide from the air around us to create a fuel for existing vehicles represents a huge step towards reducing the world's carbon footprint and finding a green alternative for declining fossil oil supp...

Last Saturday, three cars and crews took part in a trial run for the 2011 RAC Future Car Challenge. The second consecutive year of the event, to take place on Saturday 5 November, serves as a public showcase for low-energy vehicles to demonstrate their eco credentials. The trial run was an opportunity for three crews, comprising entrants and members of the organising team, to reconnoitre th...

Last week, European automobile manufacturers defined a comprehensive set of recommendations to standardise the charging of electric vehicles – a joint industry proposal that will enable the use of one plug type independent of car manufacturer, electricity provider or country. Standardisation of the connection between the electricity grid and electrically-chargeable vehicles is one of ...

Automotive researcher Trend Tracker's new Car Buyer Brand Perceptions 2011 study, of a nationally representative sample of 12,000 motorists, tracks the criteria on which buyers choose individual brands, and the size, type and cost of car they intend to buy next. Among the criteria investigated are carbon emissions, and the type of engine consumers' next car is likely to have. The results ma...

The newly designed third generation electric smart fortwo ED, recently shown at the Frankfurt Motor Show, will be available in the UK from spring 2012. The new version has been heavily revised from the previous fortwo ED (electric drive) model, with greater performance and additional range among other refinements. The revisions have been largely driven by response to extensive customer...

The new Plug-in Prius will cost less than £31,000 when sales start in the first half of 2012. This headline figure does not take into account Government funding through the Ultra-Low Carbon Vehicle grant scheme that will reduce the price of the Plug-in Prius to the customer by £5,000. The pricing is competitive compared to the latest electric and plug-in hybrid models on th...

A new report published in the British Medical Journal concludes that some traffic emissions can significantly increase the risk of a heart attack for up to six hours. The report identifies particulate matter (PM10) and nitrogen dioxide (NOx) as being the most harmful pollutants, both which are expelled by vehicles and contribute significantly to urban air pollution. The study does say ...

Nissan has teamed up with leading utility and electrical vehicle supply equipment companies to speed development of cheaper, smaller, quick chargers for electric vehicles. The primary intention is to reduce the costs of rapid DC charging units, and to accelerate the installation of publicly-available Quick Charge (QC) points in the UK and across Europe. This agreement between Nissan, C...

The UK's first public hydrogen vehicle refuelling station has been officially opened at Honda's manufacturing facility in Swindon. Built and operated by industrial gases company BOC, the venture is the result of a partnership between Honda, BOC and economic development company Forward Swindon. The new station is open to anyone developing or using hydrogen-powered vehicles. It can fill ...

Next Green Car is sponsoring the 'Low Carbon Road Transport Initiative of the Year 2011' award; one of a total of nine awards that are to be presented. As one of the sponsors of the LowCVP's second Low Carbon Champion Awards, Next Green Car is proud to support and encourage progression in the low carbon transport sector. Held in association with the Institute of Mechanical Engineers (I...

Statistics released by nationwide electric vehicle charging specialist POD Point have revealed that the IKEA store in Wembley, North London, is their most popular Source London charger. Drivers took advantage of over 157 hours of charging time across 32 POD Points in the Source London network during August, but the IKEA store topped the usage chart with over 18 hours of charging. Surpr...

Global car manufacturer Jaguar Land Rover has confirmed that a new £355 million engine plant will be constructed in Wolverhampton. The announcement is good news for the local economy, and it is suspected that the plant will generate up to 750 new jobs for local inhabitants. Jaguar Land Rover have secured around a £10 million financial support package from the Government, as...

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. The Fisker Karma is a luxury sports saloon equipped with an electric motor and a range extender. Similarly to the Vauxhall Ampera range extended vehicle, the wheels are solely driven by ...

TomTom and Renault have launched their first in-dash navigation system at the Frankfurt Motor Show – it is specifically designed for electric vehicles and will be fitted as standard to the Fluence Z.E. The system is intended to reduce 'range anxiety' by monitoring battery charge alongside journey details. The driver can then be informed about the nearest charging station if necessary....

Low Carbon Expo 2011, the first low carbon exhibition ever to be held in Wales, takes place at Cardiff Motorpoint Arena on 16-17 September. Bringing together businesses and consumers under one roof, over 2,000 visitors are expected to benefit from free guidance as well as exclusive discounts, coupons and prizes offered from over 100 companies expected to be exhibiting. Next Green Car i...

Vauxhall have unveiled their new concept car at the Frankfurt Motor Show, which is expected to revolutionise emission-free urban transport, especially for younger drivers. The RAK e concept will open a new chapter for Vauxhall's electric mobility plans – the focus of the concept concentrates on minimal energy costs and weight – and is particularly aimed at young teenage drivers....

Held at the Rockingham Motor Speedway in Northamptonshire on 7th-8th September, POD Point revealed three new developments in their revolutionary POD Point technology. These included their first communicated charge unit for the home, the first Mennekes wall unit and their new fast charge unit for public networks. All three innovations are a leap forward in making life easier for EV car ...

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 Station to see what the show had to offer. The most exciting feature for many is the test drive track, circling the show's perimeter. This is available for free to anyone who wishes to...

The Mayor Boris Johnson has announced a network of new charge points will support the Olympic and Paralympic electric vehicle fleet – points that, after the Games, will boost the growing Source London electric network. To coincide with London's largest consumer green vehicle show, EcoVelocity, annual membership for Source London will be discounted from £100 to £10 for thos...

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 friendly car introduces a combination of diesel and electric power, a real breakthrough in technology that delivers reduced cost of ownership. HYbrid4 technology delivers low CO2 and hig...

This year's Low Carbon Vehicle event (LCV2011) began today and will continue tomorrow (September 8th) at Rockingham Race Circuit in Corby. It is set to demonstrate Northamptonshire's expertise and potential as a world leader in the low carbon vehicle sector. Hosted by the UK's Centre of Excellence for Low Carbon and Fuel Cell Technologies (Cenex), the fourth annual event is being held for t...

The total cost of owning an electric or hydrogen vehicle is unlikely to approach that of a conventional car for another 15-20 years, according to a new study from the Low Carbon Vehicle Partnership (LowCVP). The report found that, while total vehicle owning costs are expected to change significantly with the introduction of lower carbon technologies, most zero-emission vehicles will continu...

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-based discussion forum created by The Guardian newspaper in association with Renault, which focuses upon all aspects of electric cars. This week's live Q&A will be entitled 'Consumer att...

Electric vehicle (EV) manufacturers need to cut prices if they want to energise the market, the British Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association (BVRLA) has warned. According to figures released by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) today, just 812 buyers have taken up the Government's £5000 Plug-In-Car Grant so far this year, suggesting that EVs are still too expensi...

Skoda has begun production of a 10 car trial fleet of its first ever fully electric car – the Octavia E Line – trials will begin this Autumn. It is the next step in Skoda's continued efforts to reduce emissions and consumption levels throughout the company. The Octavia Green E Line is based on the series-production Octavia Estate, as its modular floor pan design is ideal in...

NILS, a single-seat electric concept vehicle that offers a glimpse of a new form of minimalist mobility, has been unveiled ahead of its public debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show later this month. This concept car – which features an aluminium space frame, wing doors and free-standing wheels – has dynamic performance whilst travelling silently, with zero emissions. "NILS anti...

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 Thursday September 8 to Sunday September 11 and will be staged in the grounds of the iconic Battersea Power Station. EcoVelocity will see car makers showcase their latest green models and ...

Ford has announced that they will unveil a new concept car at the Frankfurt Motor Show later this month – the Ford Evos Concept will be a plug-in hybrid with a lithium-ion battery unit. The Evos will be the ultimate expression of Ford's new global design language, and explores key future powertrain and vehicle interaction technologies. Created as a bespoke concept vehicle, the Ev...

Elektromotive is to provide five of its innovative Elektrobay electric vehicle (EV) charging stations for GreenFleet Scotland taking place today. As 'Recharging Technology Partner', Elektromotive will be responsible for keeping more than 20 EVs fully charged between test drives around the showground, including the Vauxhall Ampera and Nissan Leaf. GreenFleet Scotland, which takes place ...

Siemens have joined forces with Volvo and intend to advance the technical development of electric cars through extensive strategic cooperation. In terms of electric vehicles, Volvo will start small-scale production of the Volvo C30 Electric later this year, and the company will start selling the V60 Plug-in Hybrid next year. The focus of the partnership will be on the development of el...

Home energy advisors working for E.ON will be driving new Ford Fiesta 1.6-litre TDCi ECOnetic hatchbacks this year, thanks to a new delivery of 340 cars. These fuel-efficient, low-CO2 models provide much improved transport for the consultants, who advise and help customers to save money and be more energy efficient. E.ON is amongst the leading green energy providers in the UK, and curr...

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. Peugeot will also be unveiling the HX1, a concept car which has had environmental issues leading its design and development. The 508 RXH will be the third model in the accomplished 508 range....

Euro NCAP are continuing to test plug-in hybrid and electric vehicles for crash safety, and have revealed that the Vauxhall Ampera achieved the top score of five stars. A further nine models were also tested by Euro NCAP recently, the Audi A6, BMW X3, Chevrolet Aveo, Chevrolet Orlando, Citroen DS5, Hyundai i40, Volkswagen Golf Cabrolet, Volkswagen Jetta and the Kia Picanto – all recei...

International electricity and gas company, National Grid, has taken delivery of four Nissan LEAFs on a four year/40,000 mile lease contract. They will act as pool cars for National Grid staff who are delivering a project over the next eight years to construct tunnels that will house a new high voltage electric cabling network for London. The 100% electric Nissan LEAF will be used aroun...

With the production of electrified vehicles gearing up all over the world, Pike Research have predicted that global cumulative sales will reach 5.2 million units by 2017. Carmakers are rapidly launching hybrids (HEVs), plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) and battery electric (BEVs) – technologies that are expected to represent an increasing portion of the total vehicle market. In 2011, less ...

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 technology is available as standard in four models – the S60, V60, V70 and S80. All four models are available to order now with no change to existing prices. The start-stop technology ...

The new 4th generation Rio goes on sale in the UK on 1st September and continues Kia's roll-out of models with lower fuel consumption and CO2 emissions. By 2012 Kia aims to have the newest product line-up on offer in the UK. The arrival of the new Rio, and for the first time as a three-door from early 2012, will help Kia reach that ambition. The new Kia Rio will be available with four...

Electric vehicle charge point provider, POD Point, have been heavily involved in the recent launch of Source East – the government's initiative to boost the provision of EV charge points in the region. The East of England is one of eight regions to receive funding for electric vehicle charging as part of the Government's Plugged-in-Places scheme, which will give drivers unlimited acce...

Ethanol refined from corn is by far the most common form of biofuel used in the US – however, a new $510 million (£311m) plan could give next generation fuels a chance. Barack Obama has announced that the fund will be used to help construct new refineries throughout the mid-west that can be used to produce fuel from wood chips, grasses and corn cobs. Obama commented, "B...

Daimler has announced that the third generation of the smart fortwo Electric Drive (ED) will be available from spring 2012 – a five-figure number of vehicles will be manufactured in Hanbach, France. Following the success of the second generation fortwo, the new and enhanced ED model will be made globally available to more than 30 different countries. A 55 kW electric motor, drive...

Vauxhall is set to unveil two new cars at this year's Frankfurt Show, in addition to the surprise debut of an experimental car that will emphasise the company's passion for driver-focused vehicles. The Astra GTC and Zafira Tourer will each receive their world debuts on Vauxhall's show stand on September 13. Vauxhall will also be showing a series production Ampera, which will soon appear in ...

Following on from the successful i10 Blue launched at the beginning of the year, Hyundai has now added another sub-100 g/km CO2 model to its range – the i20 Blue. With emissions of just 98 g/km CO2, it is the lowest emitting vehicle in Hyundai UK's product line-up. The i20 Blue is based on the current i20 Comfort trim level with the 1.4 CRDi 90 PS engine and is priced at £13,195...

Following on from the recent launch of the all-new Picanto city car, Kia is introducing a three-door version to the line-up for the first time since the model appeared in 2004. The new three-door Picanto will go on sale in the UK from 1st September, and is available with CO2 emissions of just 99 g/km meaning that it will qualify for Congestion Charge exemption in London and free VED road ta...

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 Toyota's Hybrid Synergy Drive (HSD) system, which has proved a reliable technology with over two million cars sold worldwide. The new Prius Plug-in will become the flagship of the Prius ...

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 3,000 visitors are expected. Exhibitors will be showcasing energy-saving products and services as well as offering education and advice, interactive workshops and live demonstrations. Ov...

Many of the world's major car, commercial vehicle and public service vehicle manufacturers will join a record number of technology and infrastructure businesses showcasing products at LCV 2011, the UK's leading low carbon vehicle event. LCV 2011 takes place at Rockingham Race Circuit, in Northamptonshire, and is hosted by Cenex, the Centre of Excellence for Low Carbon and Fuel Cell technol...

Nissan's all-electric LEAF has provided the crucial last element in an innovative business owner's attempts to become entirely self-sufficient on the remote Hebridean island of Islay. The award-winning 130-year old Bruichladdich whisky distillery uses a pioneering 'Biowayste' system, allowing it to generate its own electricity using waste products from the distilling process. Business ...

Britain's most popular economy driving event, the MPG Marathon, returns to Britain's roads again this year – taking place on the 5th and 6th October. Competitors in the MPG Marathon will have the chance to test their economy driving skills around a 380-mile route, which both starts and finishes at the Four Pillars Hotel, South Cerney, near Cirencester. With an ever stronger empha...

Hyundai has embarked on the next stage of its evolution with the launch of the D-segment i40 Tourer, the first of a wave new products expected from the South Korean manufacturer. Over the next 18 months there will be 13 new or revised models brought to the UK market, by which time the ix35 will be the oldest Hyundai in the line-up and that was only introduced in April last year. The i4...

Nissan has released the prices for its new Micra DIG-S – the range starts at £11,150 on the road for the 1.2 DIG-S 98 PS Visia version, available from 1st September 2011. Representing the latest in low-emission engine technology, the DIG-S (Direct Injection Gasoline – Supercharged) offers the performance of a bigger petrol engine but with the fuel economy of a diesel. Th...

Following its debut at this year's Geneva Motor Show, Land Rover is using the RAC Future Car Challenge as the first opportunity to showcase three of its Range_e concept models in the UK. The RAC Future Car Challenge is to take place on Saturday 5 November 2011 – the aim of the event is to travel 60 miles between Brighton and London in a vehicle whilst using the least energy possible...

Following the recent Top Gear feature which highlighted the lack of charging infrastructure in Lincoln, Nissan is to fund the installation of the city's first public electric vehicle charging points. In the television programme, presenters Jeremy Clarkson and James May drove a pair of electric vehicles, including the Nissan LEAF, into the centre of Lincoln in an attempt to find somewhere to...

Understanding how electric cars are driven in the real world has taken an important step forward with the release of data from the MINI E field trial in the UK. With 62 public participants and 76 pool users running the battery-powered MINI over two six-month periods, the Government-supported trial is the most in-depth of its kind to publish its findings. An enormous amount of data was ...

President Obama has announced a historic agreement with thirteen major automakers to pursue the next phase in the Administration's national vehicle program, increasing fuel economy to 54.5 miles per US gallon for cars and light-duty trucks by Model Year 2025 – equivalent to 65.4 mpg (UK). The President was joined by Ford, GM, Chrysler, BMW, Honda, Hyundai, Jaguar/Land Rover, Kia, Mazd...

Nominations are now invited for the LowCVP's second Low Carbon Champions Awards which will be presented at a gala reception to take place on November 14th in London. This year's LowCVP Awards are being held in association with the Institute of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE). The deadline for nominations for these prestigious Awards is Friday 30 September. There are seven categories of ...

Mercedes-Benz Retail Group is reducing its carbon footprint through a new 'Green Dealer' initiative, designed to make its retail sites more environmentally-friendly. The scheme has been pioneered at Mercedes-Benz Watford through a project looking at the lighting, air conditioning and building management system currently in place. Since the Green Dealer project was launched three months...

Electric car owners in the North East are taking advantage of two recently installed rapid chargers – one at the Metrocentre shopping centre and one at Dalton Park outlet store. The 50kw rapid chargers are funded by the North East's Plugged-in-Places programme 'Charge your Car' and installed by SWITCH EV's VINCI Energies engineers. They are capable of recharging cars such as the ...

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 Generation' category, which includes new technology models close to market launch. An overall winner is also awarded the title of Next Green Car 'Gold Award' 2011. The winners of the Next Gre...

Toyota is the world's greenest brand, according to a new global survey from the international brand consultancy Interbrand. The first Best Global Green Brands, published this week, takes into account environmental performance coupled with public perception of a brand’s environmental sustainability to produce a Green Performance Score. Based on data collected from the world's le...

ChargePoint Services has announced a partnership with green energy supplier Ecotricity to install the world's first national network of EV charge points powered solely by natural energy resources. The free-to-use EV charge points are being installed at 27 motorway service stations owned by Welcome Break. Each charge point will provide both 3 pin and 7 pin sockets offering single and 3 phas...

Interim findings from Toyota and EDF Energy's demonstration of the Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV) in London give encouraging, real-world data that show the technology can deliver greatly improved fuel efficiency and lower emissions in urban driving. At the same time, the car's easy-to-drive character and its ability to cover long distance trips is being appreciated by the fleet oper...

Welcome to the Next Green Car Awards 2011, the most scientifically based Green Car Awards in the UK. 27 of the UK's greenest new cars of 2011/12 have been selected for shortlists across nine vehicle categories. The winners will be announced on Monday 1st August 2011. Next Green Car uses its unique Green Car Rating to rank the greenest new cars to come to market, honouring the most inn...

After going into bank-ruptcy last month, Norwegian electric vehicle maker THINK Global has been purchased by an international entrepreneur who is committed to maintaining the company's key role in transport electrification. A court-appointed trustee selected Mr. Boris Zingarevich, whose investment operations are based in St. Petersburg, Russia, as the winning bidder following June's bankrup...

The UK's first privately funded nationwide electric vehicle charging infrastructure will be launched in September, with 4,000 points to be installed in 100 towns and cities by the end of 2012. The network is to be delivered by Chargemaster Plc, through their 'POLAR' project, and will provide a well distributed coverage of charge points across the country. Transport Secretary Philip Ham...

Today, the East of England's electric vehicle charging network, Source East, goes live as part of the Government's Plugged-in-Places scheme. Chargemaster Plc are proud to be a supporting partner to Source East, and plan to deliver 1,200 publically accessible charge points to the region by 2013. As one of eight regions to receive funding to develop an electric vehicle charging infrastru...

On the weekend of 13th/14th August 2011, Don Wales and the Bluebird Electric team will endeavour to break the UK Land Speed Record on the 4-mile stretch of beach at Pendine Sands, South Wales. Last month the attempt was aborted when a vital bespoke component that was being manufactured in Europe was not delivered. Disappointed in the firm, the team sought to find a UK engineering manufactur...

The UK can become a global leader in the development, manufacture and use of low carbon vehicles, but only if there is consistent collaboration and investment from industry, Government and early adopters. This assessment comes from Cenex – the UK’s Centre of Excellence for Low Carbon and Fuel Cell Technologies – ahead of its annual low carbon vehicle event, LCV2011, w...

Mitsubishi Motors has announced the results from the last 12 months of the CABLED trial – a project to report on electric vehicle usage conducted in the Birmingham and Coventry area. Having collated and analysed a full 12 months of data from electric vehicle (EV) users, CABLED – the UK's largest study into long-term low carbon vehicle use – reveals: * Why EVs are a vi...

With the Nissan LEAF only months into its first year of sales, Nissan is already planning how to give the LEAF’s battery packs a 'second life' in the power generation industry. Besides reusing the battery, this can enable excess power from renewable sources such as solar and wind generation to be stored and then released at peak times, reducing the need for conventional power station...

In the two months since its launch, Next Green Car have added a further 282 electric car charging points to Zap-Map, the UK’s most comprehensive EV charging points map, resulting in a total of 1,034 points mapped across 451 locations. The majority of the charging points continue to be the 'Slow' chargers (6-8 hours for full charge). However Zap-Map has added the first six 'Fast' char...

Vauxhall/Opel and Europcar have announced an agreement to introduce the Vauxhall Ampera as a rental car throughout Europe. With the market introduction of the electric Ampera by the end of 2011, Vauxhall/Opel and Europcar are joining forces to facilitate the introduction of electric mobility, broadening the range of people that will be able to enjoy the benefits of electric mobility from t...

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. The RXH will be based on the same a 2.0-litre HYbrid4 power unit, one that delivers 200 bhp with CO2 emissions of only 109 g/km and a combined fuel economy of 67.2 mpg. The new hybri...

Starting this month, Citroen customers can drive away in one of 10 models that emit less than 100 gCO2/km. From the full-electric C-Zero city car to the spacious New C4 hatchback, drivers can take advantage of both the financial and environmental benefits of owning a new, sub-100g Citroen. Joining Citroen's existing sub-100 g/km line-up are three new C3 models with a clean, green e-HDi...

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 innovations including the starter-motor and alternator, the performance of the humble combustion engine has been improved beyond recognition with the addition of electric wizardry, ranging from 'start...

A new network of charge points and Pod Centres is to be launched across Greater Manchester this autumn, through a scheme called Manchester Electric. Manchester Electric Car Company (MECC) together with its partners will launch the first of 300 charge points and six larger Pod Centres to bring the electric vehicle revolution to Greater Manchester. Manchester Electric will be a new netwo...

The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders has reported on sales volumes and CO2 figures from new car sales for the first two quarters of 2011. The new car market (sales) remains down on figures from 2010, however the pace of decline has moderated in recent months, in-line with SMMT's forecasts. In June 2011, the market fell 6.2%, continuing the trend seen over each of the last 12 ...

The new Range Rover Evoque passed an important milestone yesterday when the first production vehicle was driven off the line at Land Rover's Halewood manufacturing plant in Liverpool. Jaguar Land Rover's CEO, Ralf Speth together with executive officers, union representatives and employees, gathered to celebrate the start of new Range Rover Evoque production. "The Evoque is an incredibl...

The UK price for the Chevrolet Volt has been confirmed as being £28,545, including the Government's £5,000 Plug-In Car grant. The Volt will be in Chevrolet showrooms by Spring 2012 – its price tag makes it less expensive than some traditional petrol or diesel engined five-door hatchbacks. The Volt has an electric-only range of between 30 and 50 miles depending on terr...

The Government's vision for a nationwide recharging infrastructure, in support of the electric vehicle revolution, has been announced by the Transport Secretary, Philip Hammond. A report has been published, entitled 'Making the Connection: the Plug-In Vehicle Infrastructure Strategy', which identifies how a recharging infrastructure will develop in a way that is integrated, convenient and s...

After recently announcing UK pricing for its Kangoo Van Z.E. and Twizy, Renault have confirmed the price of the third model in their zero-emission family, the Fluence Z.E. At £17,850 (including the £5,000 Plug-In Car Grant), the Fluence Z.E will be the UK's most affordable electric car. Undercutting some comparable diesel cars, Renault are prepared for high sales volumes. T...

A report published today by the Committee on Climate Change (CCC) concludes that more needs to be done to meet the 2025 greenhouse gas emissions target. However, the report also praised the efforts of the UK automotive industry in tackling climate change, highlighting the progress in lowering emissions from new vehicles. While today's report outlines the need for the UK's total emissio...

Two thirds of motorists (65.7%) say they would be more likely to buy an electric vehicle (EV) if charging posts were more readily available at roadsides and in car parks across the UK. With the second round of the Plugged-In-Places scheme confirmed, Government funding will be supporting EV infrastructure roll-out in several cities and regions across the country – but how quickly? ...

Electric vehicle manufacturer Tesla Motors have announced that in two months they will stop taking orders for their electric Roadster model in the US. However, the news does not mean that Tesla are struggling – the company regards it to be more important to focus all efforts on their next electric vehicle, the Model S. Tesla had sold 1,650 Roadster models across Europe, Asia and ...

Vauxhall has pulled out all the stops to make its latest Astra ecoFLEX one of the cleanest and most efficient compact cars in the UK. Using technology like energy recuperation and adaptive aerodynamics has achieved combined fuel consumption of 76.3mpg and CO2 emissions of just 99g/km. CO2 emissions falling below the 100 gram threshold means total exemption from TfL's Congestion Charge,...

Norwegian electric vehicle manufacturer THINK filed for bankruptcy last week. The company has plans to liquidate their assets in an attempt to pay off its creditors. Ford Motor Co. owned THINK from 1999, when the electric City model was launched, until 2003 – the company has struggled to survive alone ever since. THINK are well known for their all-electric City model – a pl...

New research from breakdown provider Green Flag has revealed that one in five motorists have been driven off the road in the last year by soaring fuel prices, either abandoning a private car completely or switching to more fuel efficient alternatives. The breakdown rescue service provider launched the study after seeing a 40% rise in fuel-related call-outs in January. Since then, prices hav...

The latest version of the Audi A1 TDI premium hatchback has boosted its fuel economy to 74.3 mpg, and lowered CO2 output to just 99 g/km. Priced at just £14,480 OTR, low fuel consumption makes this model an affordable choice – 99 g/km means that it is also exempt from road tax and London's Congestion Charge. Further optimisation of the fuel system and engine management unit...

Renault are giving readers of The Guardian news paper the chance to be amongst the first to test drive their latest range of electric vehicles. Their Z.E. (zero emission) range has gathered a great deal of publicity in recent months as the models are expected to be both practical and of high build quality, whilst having low running costs. Renault is offering the chance to drive one of ...

BMW has been supplying cars with award-winning EfficientDynamics technologies since 2007 but now that is not the only way which the manufacturer is reducing its environmental impact. As part of its wider reaching sustainability programme, BMW has tasked its dealer network to improve their environmental standards through a number of regulations. A team of specialists assessed the level ...

It is almost inevitable that the future of motoring belongs to electric vehicles. However, the uncertainty is exactly when 'the future' is. A leading automotive component maker, Bosch, predict that growth in the EV market will continue to be slow in the short term, but the technology will have become mainstream by 2025. Bosch believes that electric vehicles will remain a niche market u...

Peugeot have added a new 107 Sportium Special Edition model to the popular city car range, to replace the previous ENVY model. The Special Edition model will add more style and fun to the range, whilst also being more environmentally friendly and fuel efficient. The 107 Sportium Special Edition, based on the standard 107 Urban model, is available with a 1.0 litre petrol engine and five...

New research shows that amongst larger companies there is enthusiasm to introduce electric vehicles into fleets, a reaction that is primarily driven by the opportunity to make cost savings. However, smaller companies appear to have less interest in pure electric vehicles but are enthusiastic about hybrid technology and diesel models with low emissions. A third of the largest businesses...

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 relies on an innovative technology called a semi-solid flow cell, and is expected to be significantly cheaper to produce than existing battery technologies. A semi-solid flow cell requ...

Two major automotive manufacturers, Nissan and BMW, have announced that they will be investing in manufacturing operations in the UK, which will provide a major boost to the industry. The announcements were made this week at Downing Street – the investments will have a positive impact upon the economy whilst securing a significant number of jobs. BMW confirmed £500 million ...

EDF Energy is partnering with Peugeot and Citroen to offer residential and fleet customers electric vehicle recharging services with the sale of every Peugeot iOn or Citroen C-Zero. The partnership will create a one-stop-shop for customers, ensuring best in class motoring technology and safe and convenient recharging solutions. Firstly, EDF will offer a residential package making it ea...

The 2011 Motorexpo at London's Canary Wharf officially opens to the public this week, and organisers are expecting 400,000 visitors to attend before the show closes on Sunday 12 June. Officially the UK's largest free-to-visit motoring event, Motorexpo has signed up a record number of manufacturers this year including Bentley, BMW, Jaguar, Land Rover, Mercedes-Benz, Saab, Skoda, Tesla, Vauxh...

Toyota is set to be the first UK car manufacturer to install a large scale solar panel array after the scheme gained approval from its local planning authority. Work has started on installing the ground-mounted system at Toyota's vehicle plant in Derbyshire, where Auris hybrid, Auris and Avensis cars are built for the UK and export markets. The solar array is located on 90,000m2 of in...

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. Developed in Europe, it is to be the smallest engine Ford has ever built – delivering the performance of a larger four-cylinder unit but with even greater fuel economy. The EcoBoost three-cy...

Even after more than 120 years of development, petrol and diesel combustion engines remain inefficient, however, modern technology is beginning to put an end to this. Mazda is on the verge of launching a new generation of both petrol and diesel combustion engines, that will significantly improve a vehicle's overall efficiency. At best, current combustion engines operate at around a 30%...

Plans are well underway to launch a nationwide series of electric scooter rental schemes to build on the success of the Barclays-sponsored 'Boris Bikes' scheme in London. More than 1,000 German-made TP Scoots are being made available in London this summer and there are plans for similar schemes in Brighton, Oxford, Cambridge, Isle of Wight and Milton Keynes later in the year. The TP Sc...

Rising fuel prices will be less of a concern for new Toyota owners, thanks to this summer's offer of six months worth of free fuel on selected models. Anyone buying a new Aygo, Yaris, Auris, Auris Hybrid or Verso can enjoy six months of driving with Toyota picking up the fuel bill. Each new car will be sold with a pre-loaded Visa card covering the cost of 5,000 miles of motoring &#8211...

New figures from the International Energy Agency (IEA) show that British companies have bought up more African land for biofuel production than any other country. The IEA also highlights that, while some biofuels can be considered sustainable (such as those made from food waste), there is growing evidence that particular fuel crops are linked to rising food prices. This effect is being inc...

According to latest figures from the International Energy Agency (IEA), global CO2 emissions in 2010 reached a record high of 30.6 Gigatonnes. In 2010, global leaders at the UN climate talks in Cancun agreed a target of limiting temperature increase to 2 degC – with the continuing increase in emissions, achieving this target will be a more challenging than previously thought. Aft...

Vauxhall's Insignia range is now an even more compelling choice for private and business users with the addition of an ultra-low emissions ecoFLEX diesel model. With a 10% improvement in CO2 (115g versus 129g) over the outgoing model, the Insignia ecoFLEX diesel now falls in to the lowest 13% Benefit-In-Kind tax band, and there is no VED on the hatchback and saloon, and no first year VED on...

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 test drive on the track. The event possibly represented the largest collection of the latest green cars available in the same place at the same time and being available for test driving...

London's first city-wide electric charging point network, Source London, has now been switched on, making it easier for electric vehicle owners in the city to plug in whilst on the move. By 2013, the scheme will total at least 1,300 charge points, more than the number of petrol stations in London, ensuring the infrastructure is in place for significantly more people to buy an electric vehic...

Euro NCAP has awarded the Nissan LEAF the highest five star car safety rating following its performance in the independent organisation's stringent crash tests. After having been given both the European and World Car of the Year Awards early this year, the LEAF is now the first electric vehicle ever to earn this distinction. Results revealed that the LEAF earned an 89% rating for adu...

Petrol cars still beat diesel models in the popularity stakes despite the typically higher fuel economy of diesel engines, a recent study of UK motorists shows. In May 2011, ContractHireAndLeasing.com asked over 1700 people; 'When you next change your car, what type of fuel will you opt for?' The results revealed some interesting trends in consumer attitudes to fuel type. 35% of respon...

Drivers of low-carbon cars could face massive increases in their fuel bills if the Treasury is not to face shortfalls in the amount of tax it gets from drivers. As ministers encourage the mass market up-take of low-carbon cars, the Exchequer must decide whether its long-term strategy is to hike the price of 'green' fuels, such as electricity, or take a hit on its revenue. The warning ...

Mitsubishi is delighted to announce the delivery of an all-electric i-MiEV to the Thames Valley Police, which is the lead authority for Chiltern Transport Consortium. The vehicle was delivered by Soul's Mitsubishi in Milton Keynes and has been commissioned with Thames Valley Police corporate livery. The pure-electric vehicle will be used for routine non-emergency duties in and around Milton...

Following its world debut at the Paris Motor Show last autumn, Renault is now taking orders for its new state-of-the-art 1.6-litre 'Energy' dCi 130hp diesel engine. Initially available in Scenic and Grand Scenic models, the new engine will create the most powerful yet least emitting drivetrain of its size, compared to any other MPV available today. To begin with, the Energy dCi 130 wil...

The results of the 2011 International Engine of the Year Awards have been announced today at the Engine Expo in Stuttgart, Germany. The global jury, consisting of 76 of the world's most respected and popular motoring journalists, voted Fiat's innovative and diminutive 875cc two-cylinder TwinAir engine the greatest automotive engine available today! Dean Slavnich, editor of Engine Techn...

Austrian economy driving specialist Gerhard Plattner has achieved 1,246 miles (2,006 km) on a single 45 litre tank of fuel in a Skoda Fabia GreenLine. The Fabia GreenLine travelled from Reutte in Austria to Bov in Denmark, and back again, whilst managing to achieve a record breaking low fuel consumption figure of 127.8 mpg – despite the models official figure of 83.1 mpg. The Au...

Following a perfect marketing storm, the new market for electric vehicles is getting its first reality check. Although the Plug-in Car Grant has the capacity to subsidise more than 8,000 EVs, official figures just released show only 534 grant registrations so far, with most applications coming from fleets. While sales are well up on 2010, at this rate less than a quarter of the available f...

Already hard at work on the imminent arrival of its Z.E. (Zero Emission) range, Renault is accelerating its plans to reduce the environmental impact of its vehicles. In particular, an improved low-emission Clio, emitting just 94 gCO2/km and offering great fuel economy can now be ordered, and pricing for the first of the Z.E. range, the Twizy, has been announced. Building on the success...

Next Green Car has launched Zap-Map, a new map showing electric car charging points across the UK. With 752 points already mapped, Next Green Car's Zap-Map is the most comprehensive map of electric car charging points in the UK. As commented by Dr. Ben Lane of Next Green Car, "We were constantly researching on-street charge points for our visitors and trying to find an up-to-date list ...

Research released today by Auto Trader has found that money, not the environment, is the main driver of interest in environmentally friendly cars. The majority of UK motorists (73%) would consider going green to save money on fuel expenditure, compared to 41% of drivers motivated by environmental concerns. However, reducing emissions is still an important objective for motorists as 57...

The Volvo V60 Plug-in Hybrid combines advanced technology with luxury design – its first official road test is to take place at the 11th Michelin Challenge Bibendum in Berlin this month. All in all, Volvo the sustainability rally with three cars that emphasise the company's leadership in implementing the latest environmentally friendly technology – these are the Volvo V60 Plug-i...

Intelligence revealed by Glass's, the UK's leading vehicle valuations expert, shows that battery leasing for EVs can provide whole life costs superior to other commercial approaches. The figures were released at an RAC Foundation event last week and are the first comparative values released for an EV with the battery included, an EV with a leased battery and a range-extender EV. It is...

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 to hybrid technology, SMMT will be able to take advantage of reduced running cost at the same time as lowering their fleet emissions. Formed as part of collaboration between the Governm...

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 partnership with William F1, the C-X75 will be on a par with the fastest production cars on the market, with CO2 emissions of less than 100 g/km and top speeds in excess of 200 mph. This high-pe...

A significantly revised MiTo range will become available this month through Alfa Romeo's 52-strong UK dealer network – the range includes Alfa's first sub-100gCO2/km vehicle. The Italian car maker has had a particularly successful year so far and believes that low entry prices combined with high standard specifications and low emissions make the new MiTo an economical and attractive c...

The first entries received for the 2011 RAC Future Car Challenge read more like the starting grid of a motor race than a competition for low-energy vehicles. The initial line-up will include several EV sports cars (pictured below) from Radical (1), Tesla (4), Delta (3), Vortex (2) and Vince Nemesis (5). To be held on Saturday 5th November 2011, the second RAC Future Car Challenge is se...

A new report from npower suggests that British consumers are not clued-up about electric vehicles or the Plug-in Car Grant that subsidises some new electric cars up to £5,000. Nearly half of the 2,000 people questioned said that the initial expense of buying an electric vehicle was a barrier to purchase. Respondents believed that a car would cost around £15 to charge, and t...

Nissan has handed over the keys of a 100% electric Nissan LEAF to London Mayor Boris Johnson, shortly prior to the launch of London's first citywide electric vehicle membership scheme, Source London. Boris Johnson accepted the keys on behalf of Transport for London (TfL) whose staff will trial the revolutionary, five-seater, zero-emission car during a month-long loan. Boris Johnson is ...

The Government have announced an extra £5 million will be made available for a new 'Clean Air Fund' in London, specifically designed to help London meet European air pollution targets. Start/Stop technology could be a significant help towards achieving this legally bound goal, having the potential to reduce CO2 by 500,000 tonnes each year, from London. Philip Hammond, Transport S...

The winners of the 2011 World Car Awards have been announced at the New York International Auto Show – an international panel of sixty-six independent specialists settled on winners after several rounds of judging. Two winners were particularly interesting, the Nissan LEAF was declared overall 'World Car of the Year', and Chevrolet's Volt achieved the 'World Green Car'. Being the...

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 to feature HYbrid4 diesel hybrid technology, which equips the vehicle with rewarding driving dynamics, enhanced performance and class leading environmental credentials. The advanced HYbr...

Axeon, Europe's largest independent lithium-ion battery supplier, has been awarded funding from the EU to dramatically reduce the weight, volume and cost of batteries. With battery electric and hybrid vehicles becoming more popular globally, Axeon have recognised the need to improve and develop Lithium-ion technology in order to benefit the future of electric vehicles. The programme i...

The Hertz Corporation has signed an agreement with Mitsubishi Motors to add electric i-MiEV city cars to the Hertz UK fleet, including their Connect car club service. The rollout starts today, with two Mitsubishi i-MiEVs now available for Connect by Hertz members to zip around London. Hertz plans to add further i-MiEVs to its fleet throughout the year. Customers will be able to charge ...

The Greener Vehicle Discount, introduced on 4th January this year, qualifies a Euro 5 car, whose CO2 emissions are less than or equal to 100 g/km, for a 100% discount from the London Congestion Charge. Since the replacement, the range of exempt models to choose from in order to beat the Congestion Charge has risen to around 50 models (200 variants), although an annual £10 fee is still...

Despite the reduction in fuel duty announced in the Budget, fuel costs are still rising and currently represent record levels once again. Consequently, many are saying that there has never been a better time to buy an electric or plug-in hybrid car – a good way to avoid soaring fuel costs, rising taxes and the London Congestion Charges. It is also now more convenient than ever to...

A new study has revealed that only approximately 30% of car manufacturers are on track to meet the 130 g/km European CO2 target due for 2012. The current average rate of improvement is at 3.5% per year, meaning that the 130 g/km target will not be met until 2013 by all manufacturers. Research conducted by Clean Green Cars reveals each manufacturer's progression towards meeting the Eu...