Two Weeks of the UK Scrappage Scheme lead to 35,000 orders for new cars

The Green Car Guide reports that:

Figures released last week show that more than 35,000 orders for new cars have been taken since the announcement of the£2000 scrappage subsidy two weeks ago. For a fuller report you can click here

But available now!... the all-new Mazda3:CO2 emissions down 19 per cent

-Great value all-new Mazda3 on sale from 18 May, priced from £13,500 (OTR)
-New MZR-CD 2.2-litre diesel engines with 150ps and 185ps outputs
-Fuel economy improved by up to 16 percent, CO2 emissions reduced by 19 percent
-Lower RFL tax bands and reduced BIK liability for company car drivers

Typical 0%, 3.9% and 5.9% APR finance packages available with variable deposits. Details from www.mazda.co.uk

New generation Golf Estate comes even greener,smarter and safer

Orders will be taken this October with delivery early next for the new generation Golf Estate recently unveiled featuring a fresh look, revised engines and the latest comfort and safety technologies. A BlueMotion version of the Golf Estate will also be offered giving additional economy and environmental benefits.

The new Golf Estate will be the fourth generation of the model. The original Golf Estate was launched in 1993 – since then over 1.2 million examples have been produced worldwide.

VW also announce that,drawing on the design language established by the Scirocco, new Golf and fifth generation Polo, the new Golf Estate features redesigned headlamps and front and rear bumpers to lend the car a clean and cohesive look. The use of horizontal lines on the nose helps to create the impression that the Golf Estate is both lower and wider than it really is. Further back, new wheel designs join revised rear lights to lend the car a fresh new look.

The changes continue inside the vehicle with dashboard improvements adopted from the Golf Mk VI, upgraded trim materials and a new range of upholstery.

Like the existing model the new Golf Estate will be available in S, SE and Sportline trims, each boasting a high level of standard specification including air conditioning, a CD player, multi-function computer, electric windows and mirrors, and body-coloured bumpers, mirrors and door handles.

Of course, as you would expect from any car in the Golf family, the Golf Estate will also have a comprehensive array of safety features including ABS, ESP, driver and front passenger’s whiplash-optimised head restraints and six airbags including a deactivation switch for front passenger airbag.

Petrol engines will include a 1.4-litre 122 PS model, giving excellent performance and economy thanks to Volkswagen’s TSI technology which uses turbocharging in combination with a small capacity engine. A new 1.6-litre TDI common rail unit producing 105 PS is set to be a popular diesel choice, while a 2.0-litre TDI 140 PS tops the engine range.

Full pricing and specification details will be announced in due course.

CAP records more low emission cars than ever to choose from in the UK

According to CAP ,data provider experts mainly to the motor retail and hire industry, the rush to make greener 'cleaner' cars continues to hot-up, with a record 653 new car variants brought to market in April. This was the highest number ever reported by CAP for a single month. During the first four months of 2009, a record 1,487 new cars have been added.

David Saville, NVD Quality Control Supervisor, said: “This is the highest volume of new variants ever added in a month. At the core of all these new variants appears to be the race to reduce CO2 as manufacturers seek to benefit from new tax rules in the company car market and attract private customers who wish to avoid punitively high VED rates." It seems the drive to provide stronger value for money, and the introduction of more stop/start technology particularly by Volvo and Audi,is responsible for the unprecedented increase in new car variants.

Taking the automotive industry as whole,to include vans,trucks,and motorcycles, new variants came in at 5,482 for the first four months of the year.By comparison,in 2003,just 5,096 new variants were recorded for the whole of that year.

This has got to be a great time to go out there and buy a low emission car that suits both your style and pocket.

CAP describes itself as the premier supplier of independent benchmark data to the automotive industry.
For further detail on the work of CAP click here

Lowest of the low CO2 emissions so far from Vauxhall

Vauxhall has launched its most economical car yet. The company claims a staggering 105g/km of CO2 emissions shaves an amazing 14g/km off the performance of the model it replaces. The latest Corsa ecoFlex 1.3 litre 3-door with CDTi powertrain is also said to deliver a 13 per cent improvement in fuel consumption with 85.6 mpg on the Government's extra urban fuel cycle underlining Vauxhall's commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions still further.

The new Corsa ecoFlex offers many benefits over the outgoing model, including:


-a fourth and fifth gear ratio which generates lower engine revs and improved economy
-a shorter second gear ratio improves driving around town
-highly competitive 13% in Benefit in Kind and VED at £35 pa thanks to low emissions
-low-rolling resistance tyres and wheel changes help improve aerodynamics and save weight, so too,a lower ride height optimised airflow through its front air intakes

Did I say cheap as chips? At under £12k, you can do even better if you qualify for the Government's £2,000 'scrappage' incentive scheme. Worth a look. Further report at Green Car Guide

How to test drive the most efficient no CO2 emissions high performance production sports car on the planet


At the 2009 London Motorexpo to run from 8th to 14th June, Tesla Motors will give potential UK customers free public opportunities to drive its groundbreaking high performance sports car. An interactive display will be located within the superb marble lobby of the Canary Wharf's One Canada Square, for the duration of the 14th Annual London Motorexpo.

Commenting on their attendance Don Cochrane of Tesla Motors said; “We are extremely excited to be bringing the Roadster to Canary Wharf and we greatly look forward to letting people finally experience how good electric cars can really be."

This site has followed the progress of the Tesla Roadster into commercial production over three years. You can click onto the Tesla Motors site at the sidebar to the right of this post.

Attendance at the 14th Annual London Motorexpo is free. For further details click here for the Motorexpo site

Peugeot 407 ducks under 130g/km of CO2 with a revised 1.6 litre HDi engine

The Green Car Guide reports:

Following on from minor revisions last July which included the addition of the 2.0-litre HDi FAP Euro 5 specification engine which is capable of 50.4mpg - 150g/km of CO2, Peugeot have now added a revised 1.6 litre HDi engine which enables the 407 to duck under 130g/km for the first time thanks to a Combined fuel economy of 57.6mpg with CO2 emissions of 129g/km.

For the full report click here for the Green Car Guide

Scrooge-like ultra-frugality gives record breaking fuel economy from the SEAT Ibiza Ecomotive


The new generation SEAT Ibiza Ecomotive has has proved to be one of the most environmentally-sensitive cars in its market after covering a staggering 970 miles (1,562 km) on a single tank of fuel. An amazing average consumption figure of 97.4 mpg was achieved. This incredible world record breaking feat was recently undertaken by Austrian Gerhard Plattner, an internationally renowned economy-driving champion, who crossed Spain and France to Germany on a single tank of 45.53 litres of fuel. This despite heavy rain causing difficult driving conditions throughout the officially monitored road test.

Optimised streamlining, weight reduction and modifications to the 80 PS 1.4 TDI engine’s electronic management have given rise to one of the cleanest cars on the market today.Its low fuel consumption figure of only 76.3 mpg (combined cycle) and CO2 emissions of 98 g/km makes it the Spanish brand's most environmentally-friendly car. In addition, it is the only model equipped with air conditioning and a five-door body option with such a low CO2 emissions.

Keep in touch with all the tweats at SEAT at www.twitter.com/SEATUK

Money saving tips from the Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM)


As more Brits are preparing to spend their holidays in the UK this year, and therefore intending to go for the open road, the IAM offer us these money savings tips:

-Sticking to 70mph, instead of 80mph, can save around four pence per mile; or £20 for the round trip
-A smooth driving style rather than aggressive has been estimated to save 15 per cent fuel consumption
-Top boxes can increase fuel consumption by 20 per cent – if it’s not needed, don’t take it
-Correct tyre pressures reduce wear and helps fuel economy. Under-inflated tyres need replacing more often (itself an environmental problem), can increase fuel consumption by five per cent and can be dangerous. Check the pressure is right and they are tare free
Remember to switch off the air con and heated windows when they aren’t needed. Used together these can increase fuel consumption by 15 per cent

Drive safely.

Would you Adam and ev'ie? Here's a 4 seater all electric car you can buy today

The Citroen C1 'ev'ie' electric car is today launched by the Electric Car Corporation (ECC). As the UK's first 4 seater all electric production car, the ev'ie is being marketed by the ECC as providing the driver with the comfort,performance and standard safety features expected of a petrol engined car. It is clearly a car for city motoring,having a range of 60-70 miles from one 6-7 hour charge delivered via a 13 amp socket at a cost of around 90p. The top speed is handy at around 60 mph.

The launch of Citroen ev'ie is timely with the Government's recently announced policies giving encouragement and financial incentives for all cars 'electric'. The roll-out of a network of 25,000 'juice points in the city, essential for the uptake and viability of the ev has been confirmed by the London's Mayor,Boris Johnson.

The ECC assembles the ev'ie in the UK from donor cars, and 50% of the value of each car comes from the UK assembly which provides employment and technology benefits.

The ambition of Government is to make the UK 'a world leader' in producing and selling electric cars. Being available to buy today directly from the ECC,the C1 ev'ie is expected to show it is leading other electric cars for functionality,performance and style. At £16,850 the price is perhaps not cheap, but affordable taking into account its low running costs.

Insignia ecoFLEX owners will be better off

The ecoFLEX’s reduced combined CO2 figure means that business drivers will pay just 18 per cent Benefit in Kind tax – the second lowest band for a diesel car – down from 21 per cent for the already competitive 2.0 CDTi models. The lower CO2 also mean that all Insignia ecoFLEX owners will be better off by £25 per year due to its lower VED band.

And with all drivers keeping a keen eye on the fuel gauge these days, the Insignia ecoFLEX rewards with an official combined figure of 54.7mpg - a 10 per cent improvement on the 2.0 CDTi model - which puts it among the best in class. It also means that the Insignia ecoFLEX now has a potential range of over 842 miles.

Low carbon car future shines brighter

The Government today continues to reinforce its pledge to support the development of a national network of charging points for electric vehicles. This is seen as critical to the credibility of electric cars being a mass-produced reality in the near future on UK roads.

The commercial production of electric is becoming a reality, and now the feasibility of providing such a network of charging points seems justified with the recent announcement that Elektromotive will have completed the installation of its 100th Elektrobay charging station in London by the end of next month.

There are already 80 Elektrobays in operation in the Capital, with another 40 installed in various locations across the UK. Round-the-clock usage has led to increased demand for electric vehicle charging stations, resulting in additional roadside Elektrobays being introduced across London. Elektromotive has significantly and consistently added to its network since the first unit was installed in Westminster in 2006. The company is currently in advanced talks with cities in the North East and Midlands to expand its infrastructure even further.

Calvey Taylor-Haw, Managing Director for Elektromotive says, “Access to charging stations across the UK will be crucial to the successful shift towards zero-emissions motoring. The Elektrobay is a proven and practical solution to building a network of charging stations, not just in the UK, but around the World. Our aim is to have Elektrobays on every street and in all car parks around the UK, so we are delighted to hear the Prime Minister’s commitment to establishing charging points throughout the country.”

For more information click here for the Elektromotive website

Top green car manufacturer status


Toyota has retained its position as greenest vehicle manufacturer according to a study conducted by Business Car magazine.

A recent Auto Trader survey also put Toyota top of the environmental table in a survey of almost 2,000 UK motorists.

The car maker says it is on target to achieve its goal of whole-fleet CO2 emissions of 140g/km this year. The introduction of Toyota Optimal Drive, a range of powertrain design and engineering features that increase output, while significantly improving emissions performance and fuel efficiency, gives almost every Toyota model a green edge over its rivals.

Toyota has achieved its leading green status thanks to industry leading hybrid applications – most famously the Prius – and also environmentally considerate manufacturing and recycling.

When it comes to low emission cars Honda has the Insight

Honda is marketing the new Insight as the ‘affordable’ family hybrid. Whether Honda likes it or not, the Insight will always be compared to the Prius; a new Prius will be here soon, and Toyota’s focus is on even lower emissions than last time, rather than price. So which is the best approach? Check it out here at the Green Car Guide

Scrap to the Future: Lower CO2 emissions and car manufacturing could depend on it

This is a petition I am happy to support and bring to your attention in these difficult economic times. The Scrappage initiative
flagged below could help achieve two key objectives: Firstly, it could speed up the process of removing the older and more inefficient gas guzzling cars from our roads. And,secondly, it could also safeguard our vital car manufacturing capabilities, by reducing the lay-off periods and redundancies at car plants, and retaining the skills required for a vibrant modern and, yes, greener motor industry.

So I give you below the unabridged press release :

An open letter to the Government

From: The editors of Britain’s major motoring magazines

Help Britain’s new car buyers – NOW!


Today, in an unprecedented move, the editors and publishers of Britain’s biggest car magazines and websites have joined forces to urge the Government to support demands to stimulate new car sales in the UK.

Haymarket Media Group (publishers of Autocar, What Car?, Evecars.com and PistonHeads) and Dennis Publishing Ltd (publishers of Auto Express, evo and iMotor) are calling on the Government to urgently implement a Scrappage Incentive Scheme, similar to those already successfully employed in European countries, including France and Germany.

Under the proposed scheme, the Government will pay owners of cars over nine years old £2000 towards the cost of buying a new car if they agree to scrap their old vehicle.

Dennis Publishing Ltd and Haymarket Media Group believe the scheme, proposed by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders and supported by the vast majority of the leading motor manufacturers, will deliver real and major help in the current recession to the consumer, as well as to ‘UK plc’ and its workforce.

It is a fact that older cars are more polluting, more expensive to maintain and less safe than newer, cleaner, more reliable vehicles. Under the Scrappage Incentive Scheme, owners of older cars will be given a huge incentive and opportunity to change to a safer, cleaner, more economical, hi-tech vehicle.

Scrappage Incentive Schemes are already in place in many countries in Europe and have seen consumer confidence begin to return to the car buying market. In Germany in February, a Scrappage Incentive Scheme delivered an increase in new car sales of 21 per cent. Sales figures have been equally impressive in France.

Haymarket Media Group and Dennis Publishing urge every reader to join our campaign for a better deal for the car buyer.

Register your support for the introduction of a Scrappage Incentive Scheme in the UK at: http://petitions.number10.gov.uk/scrappagescheme

Signed: Chas Hallett Autocar, Steve Fowler What Car?, Chris Rosamond PistonHeads, Alex Jenner-Fust Evecars.com ,David Johns Auto Express, Harry Metcalfe evo, Mat Watson iMotor .

...and now supported by Mike Ryan, low emission cars

No CARbon emissions from this all electric family car

Why am I excited? Well, just a few moments ago, Tesla Motors took the wraps off the Model S, an all electric family car that carries seven people and travels 300 miles on one charge (pictured above alongside the Roadster)

Why the excitement? Apart from the fact that it will likely be the world's first mass-produced EV for the open road?

From the time of the first publication of low-emission-cars.co.ukin 2006,I have followed off-page,as it were, the reported highs and the lows of the historic journey from prototype ( as occasional subject of mirth from certain sections of the automotive industry) to the real prospect of a feasible and stylish production EV which people will want to buy. Yes, there have been great development difficulties along the way. This you would expect ,given the complexities of developing such a groundbreaking product - remember GM ditched its first plans for an EV. Perhaps we can go more into these fascinating histories, another time

In the here and now,the Model S carries its charger onboard, and can be recharged from any 120V, 240V or 480V outlet, with the latter taking only 45 minutes. By recharging their car while they stop for a meal, drivers can go from LA to New York in approximately the same time as a gasoline car. Moreover, the floor-mounted battery pack is designed to be changed in less time than it takes to fill a gas tank, allowing for the possibility of battery-pack swap stations.

"Model S doesn't compromise on performance, efficiency or utility -- it's truly the only car you need," said Tesla CEO, Chairman and Product Architect Elon Musk. "Tesla is relentlessly driving down the cost of electric vehicle technology, and this is just the first of many mainstream cars we're developing."

Tesla expects to start Model S production in late 2011. The company believes it is close to receiving $350 million in federal loans to build the Model S assembly plant in California from the Dept of Energy's Advanced Technology Vehicle Manufacturing Program.

Building on Proven Technology

Tesla Motors say it is the only production automaker already selling highway-capable EVs in North America or Europe. With 0-60 mph in 3.9 seconds, the Roadster outperforms almost all sports cars in its class yet is six times as energy efficient as gas guzzlers and delivers 244 miles per charge. Tesla has delivered nearly 300 Roadsters, and nearly 1,000 more customers are on the waiting list.

The Model S has been described as having unparalleled luggage space and versatility, more than any other sedan on the market, and more than most SUVs.

The anticipated base price of the Model S in the US is $49,900, after a federal tax credit of $7,500. This price is said to compare well (after taking into account running costs) with a similar conventionally-engined car costing around $35,000.

Showrooms are to be opened in the UK later this year. For further information check out the Tesla blog site here

ECOFLEX Zafira now rates with best on low CO2 emissions



Vauxhall’s latest addition to the Zafira line-up has all the right credentials to become the first ecoFLEX model in the range.
Using a new-to-range 1.7-litre advanced diesel engine emitting combined emissions of just 139g/km means that it’s one of the greenest and most fuel efficient seven-seat compact MPVs on the market.

Why so? Well, the motor industry SMMT report that CO2 emissions from new cars fell by their biggest ever margin in 2008 with the average model now emitting just 158.0g/km - 4.2% less than the 2007 figure and 16.8% down on the 189.8g/km base level in 1997.

With its lower emissions, the ecoFLEX is also the first Zafira to enter Band C for Vehicle Excise Duty – costing just £120 per year – while its BIK tax for company car drivers drops four levels to 18 per cent, the lowest taxation class for a seven-seater car in the UK.

The ecoFLEX also gains a significant improvement in fuel consumption compared with other models in the range. With a combined figure of 53.3mpg (47.1mpg for the 1.9 CDTi), this Zafira now has a theoretical range of 680 miles, meaning fewer trips to the pumps and less damage to drivers’ wallets.

But as with Vauxhall’s other ecoFLEX models, turning greener hasn’t impacted on its performance. The 1.7 CDTi engine – which can also be found in the recent Astra ecoFLEX – produces 110PS and 260Nm of torque, giving acceleration of 0-60mph in 12.6 seconds and a top speed of 112mph. A different final drive ratio also raises the gearing, improving both fuel economy and offering a more relaxed cruising gait.

Vauxhall also says, that with a starting price of £17,310 for the Zafira Exclusiv ecoFLEX, buyers will pay a mere £100 premium over the equivalent 1.9 CDTi 120PS model. But since all Zafiras are available with Vauxhall’s ‘You Pay, We Pay’ deal, buyers benefit from zero per cent interest from two to four years (with no deposit to pay on the two year package) while also collecting a cheque equivalent to five per cent of the amount financed.

As well as Vauxhall’s clever Flex7 seating, allowing the ecoFLEX to be transformed from a capacious load-lugger to seven-seat people carrier in a matter of seconds, six full-size airbags, an anti-lock braking system (ABS) and radio/CD player are standard on all of its five trim levels.

Lowest CO2 emissions family five seater in UK

The Ford Fiesta ECOnetic

Model/Engine size: ECOnetic 1.6 TDCi
Fuel: Diesel
Fuel economy combined: 76.3 mpg

The Ford Fiesta ECOnetic is officially the lowest emission five seat family car available in the UK, with just 98g/km of CO2. So does that mean it’s dreadful to drive?

Find out more. For a full road test report on the Ford Fiesta ECOnetic click here now for the Green-Car-Guide

Even Better Greener Volkswagen Polo


Styled by a team led by Walter de Silva (Head of Design, Volkswagen Group) the fifth generation Polo, Volkswagen’s evergreen supermini,has been unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show, 34 years after the original went on sale in the UK. It’s sharper, lighter, safer and more cutting edge than ever before ,and is set to establish new standards in the small car class. Not only does the new Polo weigh 7.5 per cent less than the vehicle it replaces – despite being marginally wider and longer – but it’s also stronger, promises greater refinement and efficiency and features new packaging to make it the most versatile model yet.

The stylish Polo sports a new look as well as highly efficient TSI and common rail TDI engines to set new benchmarks in efficiency – bettering even the high standards set by the outgoing car. In addition, advanced safety systems and an all-new construction allow it to meet the criteria for the recently introduced five-star EuroNCAP standard.

Continuing the programme of efficiency improvements established by Volkswagen, the new Polo is powered by a mix of advanced naturally aspirated 1.2- and 1.4-litre engines as well as a new turbocharged 1.2-litre TSI petrol unit joining another all-new 1.6-litre TDI common rail diesel engine. All are equipped with either five- or six-speed manual gearboxes as standard and, for the first time on the Polo, selected variants can be specified with Volkswagen’s advanced and lightweight seven-speed DSG gearbox.

A Polo BlueMotion model will also join the range shortly after launch. Powered by a highly efficient 1.6-litre 90 PS TDI common rail diesel engine and linked to a five-speed gearbox with lengthened ratios in third, fourth and fifth, the new BlueMotion achieves 74 mpg while emitting just 96 g/km of CO2 – bettering the outgoing Polo BlueMotion model which is itself one of the most fuel efficient vehicles currently on sale.

The new Polo features a comprehensive roster of standard safety equipment including for the first time on all models four airbags, anti-lock brakes, Electronic Stabilisation Programme (ESP) and ISOFIX anchor points all fitted as standard.

Production of the new Polo for the UK market starts this summer with first deliveries due in October. Prices will be announced nearer this time.

For the latest on a range of green cars click here

BMW's Efficient Dynamics delivers greenest premium manufacturer award

According to independent research,BMW has the lowest average CO2 emissions of any premium car manufacturer. BMW records a UK fleet average of 159 g/km based on all BMWs sold in 2008.

Last month, What Car? magazine awarded BMW's 3 series, its most popular model range, the title of 'Best Compact Executive' for the fourth year running. Towards the end of last year, the 3 series also polled top slot in a very large survey to find the most reliable models.

BMW first made available EfficientDynamics-equipped cars in 2007. Models were delivered with Auto/Stop,Brake Energy Regeneration, Active Aerodynamics, low rolling resistance tyres , electric power steering,optimum gearshift indicator features and on-demand ancillary systems. These benefits added to existing lightweight engineering and direct engine technology make for the award winning performance.

Glad to be able to report an improving environmental performance in the premium 'big' car area.

For more details you can go to the BMW site where you can use the online vehicle comparator giving independent data for BMW models and their rivals.