New Smart fortwo adds up, or does it?


Believe it or not, it is seven years ago that the first Smart cars hit our streets. This diminutive and energy miser has developed and new models are, or are about, to become available (although how many for UK supply is in question). Three models - Coupe (pictured),Cabrio and Brabus- are featured in an extensive road test report at the green car guide. A diesel version of one model ,with particulate filter ,has a consumption performance of 85.7 mph ,and 88g/km of CO2 emissions ,making it a clear no nonsense sub-100g/km club member.

Here's an opportunity to examine the latest Smart cars up close and personal.Click here.

Green for the Earth from Subaru


Here's a little beauty expected to be shown at the upcoming 40th Tokyo Motor Show later this month, the G4e concept.Although a compact in dimensions,this new environmentally-friendly electric car with a triangular body shape will be a true five-seater.Fitted with the next generation batteries,its light weight and all round high-performance are designed by Suburu, owned by Fuji Heavy Industries, to give it a range of 200 kilometres. Auto Express magazine this week reports that the new powerpacks for this car are not lithium-ion but vanadium batteries developed by Suburu.They are said to provide the longer range, and to be more stable and last longer than the current generation of batteries.

Be back soon with more exciting new concepts (Toyota are offering the 1/X,the RiN,the Hi-CT,and the i-REAL) for green motoring from the Tokyo expo.

Lower emissions with higher performance,today

At the high end,car manufacturers are also making great technological strides to combine luxury with high efficiency and lower CO2 emissions.One such leading brand is Lexus,currently running a high cost advertising campaign for the world's first all wheel drive luxury performance hybrid saloon.

The flagship model is the new hybrid powered LS 600h.This went on sale at the start of the month with demand extending order leadtimes into next spring.Packed full of preventative,active and passive features,and equipped with an advanced powertrain, it is probably the most sophisticated car in its class.This is real luxury motoring.

So what performance can we expect for a little over £80k. The LS 600h 5.0 litre petrol engine with V8 powertrain and high-output motor gives a high performing 0 to 62 mph in 6.3 seconds,higher than its diesel market segment competitors, but with similar combined cycle consumption at 30.4 mph and CO2 emissions of 219g/km.

There are two model variations.One with longer wheel base, the other with the extra length and what is called the Rear Seat Relaxation Package. For a few grand over the standard model price,these extras must be good.Other Lexus luxury hybrid models currently being sold are the RX400h SUV,and the GS 450h.For more information you should visit the Lexus website.

So though not low emission in absolute unit terms, this generation of luxury cars, to be owned by a relatively low number of people, is to significantly reduce the carbon footprint for its class. We are returning to more of the lower emission and more affordable cars available to the UK motorist here at low emission cars in the next few days

Is it a baby Octopus?Electric Nissan Pivo 2 Concept



Nissan is hoping it won't be a white elephant.The electric powered Pivo 2 concept will be shown by Nissan at the forthcoming Tokyo Motor Show.

Green Car Guide writes:

'Powered by advanced compact Lithium-ion batteries and featuring a unique 360 degree rotating cabin – meaning no reverse gear is required – the first Pivo became a cult hit at shows from Beijing to Geneva.

Where the first Pivo, with its fully rotating cabin design, made reversing obsolete, the Pivo 2 takes that easy mobility concept to a new level. Each of the four wheels are powered by Nissan’s advanced electric in-wheel 3D motor and can turn through 90 degrees to allow Pivo 2 to drive sideways as well as forward.

In addition to features such as ‘by-wire’ technologies for braking and steering, the car even features a ‘Robotic Agent’. With conversations possible in Japanese and English, Nissan says that the Robotic Agent has been created to work with Pivo 2 “to make every journey less stressful”. It provides an interface for communication with Pivo 2 on everything from basic vehicle functions to the nearest available parking.

Pivo 2 will be on display at the Nissan Ginza Gallery in Tokyo, for an exclusive public sneak preview ahead of the Motor Show.

Let’s hope we see Nissan’s electric technology in cars we can buy soon.'

Chatsworth Rally Shows off low emission engines

As flagged in low emission cars (17th August 2007),Chatsworth played host to famous world rally stars including Russell Brookes and 1967 Monte Carlo Rally winner Rauno Aaltonen, who made demonstration drives in the new Oaktec Honda Civic Hybrid.

Also making an appearance at the extremely well attended show was the new Bowler ‘Nemesis’, a new specially designed off-road racer running on bioethanol disguised as a Range Rover Sport.

Green Car Guide reports :

‘The two day event included three competitive Special Stage rallies for both Historic and modern rally cars, a pageant of "Rallying History" - featuring many of the world's greatest rally cars, precision and stunt-driving displays - including TV star, Russ Swift, and "Stage Sessions" for owners of competition and modified road cars, giving them the opportunity of driving the special stages under non-competitive "track day” conditions.

Two World and 12 British Rally Champions were among the line-up of star names, including Gwyndaf Evans (1996 British Rally Champion), who set some of the fastest stage times, although he didn’t take the wheel of the Oaktec car.’

The Oaktec team are already looking to building the world’s first bio-fuel/hybrid Super Touring Car to race in the British Touring Car Championship.

More...

Mini Classic turns into a Champion of the Green

Now this is a really exciting opportunity! You could own a real Mini from the 60s, or later, converted to electric power by vehicle specialists, to your own specifications.

Minis are still all the fashion on our roads,although the first of these iconic cars was produced well over 40 years ago. The original body style designed by Sir Alec Assigonis was produced,with modifications from time to time,until 2000.It became the most popular British car. And now ,the Mini is a best seller again ,having been resurrected by BMW.The new BMW Mini is continuing to evolve into a very efficient ,stylish and low consumption car according to recent report here low emission cars (11th September 2007).

However,enough of the new cars,how about a retro original Mini powered by electric.Here we have the best of everything. A true star from the past combined with the essential drive to reduce CO2 emissions ,and contribute to maintaining a sustainable environment for our children and later generations by helping to slow the rate of global climate change. Yes,I am a fervent believer that we can help ourselves, and moving to low emission cars is a necessary action to take. It does not have to take the fun out of cars and driving. Owning a marvellous Mini from the past converted to be driven under electric battery power is testament to this, and you can go to the future vehicles website for details if you click here for future vehicles

Want an electric car with the looks and real feel of a classic conventional car,and the power to zoom up hills and travel over 50, with no worries? See the future vehicles website.

Green speed soon to spur A1GP World Cup of Motorsport?

As a concept, A1GP World Cup of Motorsport differentiates itself from other global motor racing organizations. The body responsible for running A1GP recently announced a further major initiative to move as quickly as possible to bio-ethanol engined-cars using 30% ethanol fuel. This is designed to drive ,with other measures, a reduction in carbon emissions, and use carbon-offsetting for unavoidable emissions.

With a global audience now covering 150 countries, A1GP is fully aware of its responsibility as a sport with a significant carbon footprint, and is intent on reducing its environmental impact.
Sourced from sugar beet in Europe and specifically produced for the A1GP series, the E30 bio-fuel produces less harmful particulate matter than conventional fuels and will reduce the amount of nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions. By implementing E30, A1GP are expecting to reduce CO2 emissions per car by 21% in a racing season based on a well to wheel basis calculation. There are however some technical issues yet to be resolved . Although extensive tests under road conditions have been successfully conducted ,there are present concerns about whether the required performance can yet be sustained over very long periods.

A1GP’s chief executive officer, Pete da Silva said: ‘It is highly regrettable that we have not been able to start A1GP’s third season [from 30th September 2007] running on our planned bio-fuel mix. We have undertaken 4,600 kilometres of testing which has already successfully demonstrated that an international race series can remain exciting and competitive while also taking account of its environmental impact. However, we must ensure that the long term impact of our fuel change does not impact on our on-track action.

‘The launch of our THINK Greener Racing policy at Silverstone last month was warmly accepted by the industry and key environmental leaders and remains at the centre of our business strategy moving forward.’

I wish them all success, and will bring any further news about this very important environmental initiative.

Launched in 2004, A1GP World Cup of Motorsport is an entirely new concept where driver is pitted against driver ,and country is against country ,for the first time in history. In addition to the traditional motorsport fan base, A1GP attracts a new audience passionate about their country and heritage. A1GP brings together 22 nations in 11 races in 10 countries to compete as equals without financial or technological advantage. A1GP is keen to allow fans to interact with teams and drivers as part of its inclusive approach. Because A1GP is a single make series it is possible to implement change and technological advances more quickly and holistically.

Here's a sporty Citroën with membership of the sub-120 emissions club

Citroën’s 110hp C2 1.6HDi VTS is a diesel supermini,the first sports model to feature the VTS insignia. Available now at an introductory discounted price, on a cash back basis from certain dealers ,at just under £11,000.If you are quick you may also swing a year's free insurance to boot ,if aged 25 and over.

So what can you expect?

How about:

• 64 mpg
• 5 speed manual gear box
• 62 mph in 9.4 seconds
• air conditioning
• four airbags
• an alarm and ABS with EBD as standard
• 16" alloy wheels
• Band B for Vehicle Excise Duty
• 80% more torque than the petrol version of the model

Sounds like a good deal to me.

For more details on this car, and other cars in the sub-120 g/km CO2 club, click here
for the Green Car Guide

You can join the low emission future today in style

Recently, I have been covering a lot of what maybe available to the UK car buyer within the next two or three years.So its great now to be looking at a low emission car which you can actually buy NOW! A star of the recent Frankfurt Show, and referred to briefly earlier this month on lec (you know, low emission cars),the Elettrica is launched on the London streets.The Green Car Guide describes this ultra compact electric car as:

"a combination of Italian styling and design, Japanese engineering and British electronics, and is the first production electric car in the UK with the option of a lithium power supply, which is claimed to provide almost twice the range of other small electric cars.

The lithium battery version is said to offer a 70 mile range and a top speed of 45 miles per hour. There is also a lead battery version offering a 40 mile range and a top speed of 40mph.

The batteries can be charged for a few minutes or a few hours with no risk of damage. The lithium battery version can be fully charged in 5-6 hours, the lead battery version in 8 hours, and electricity should cost no more than 50p to drive 70 miles.

Drivers will be exempt from the congestion charge, will enjoy free parking in Westminster, the City and many other parts of London, and the Elettrica is also exempt from road tax.

Lithium batteries have a much longer life than lead batteries, are lighter, and do not represent an environmental hazard on disposal. The car has no tailpipe emissions, and should be charged with renewable energy to be truly green.

The car has an aluminium safety cage, disc brakes, front and rear impact bars, and has undergone front and side crash-testing - well beyond the EU requirements for this type of vehicle.

The Elettrica costs £9,950 inc VAT for the lead-battery powered version and £12,750 inc VAT for the lithium powered version. Prices also include registration and delivery to any London address.

The car is available from Future Vehicles, the exclusive distributor for customers based in London and within the M25."

You can go to the Future Vehicles website if you click here

This 'tiny'could be the city car of the future

The other ultra-compact car I promised you from the frankfurt show is another concept(no prizes for guessing the colour of this green car!): the Volkswagen up! Measuring just 3.45m it is only a staggering 47cm longer than the other contender for car of the show, the Toyota iQ, covered in yesterday's post. This two- or three-cylinder rear engined highly efficient car should yield 70 mpg and will help to meet the growing European demand (up 20% on last year according to Toyota) for small cars.VW are hopeful that, when the up! goes into production in 2009, it will claim in due course the same iconic status as the Beetle or the Golf.

With cabin space seating four adults, the up! concept has a touch sensitive screen which will enable the driver to access through hand movements certain information on the weather,in-car entertainment and vehicle controls.A second head-up screen will provide critical information on the cars's systems together with instant read-outs of CO2 levels being emiited. VW are looking for this car to be around for a long time.

So with Fiat also unveiling a radical two-cylinder 900cc engine which will only emit an amazing 69g of CO2 emissions, the leading carmakers are taking very seriously the
challenge to meet regulations and a market which consider level of CO2 emissions to be as important as fuel consumption.So the big sellers of the future will be small.

We will continue to watch these imminent products or similar.Over the next week or so, it will be back to production cars and some news on motorsport.

Think white and small for this green concept

At the eco-obsessed Frankfurt show,white was the colour for most of the exciting concept cars exhibited.Arguably one of the cars of the show was the Toyota iQ concept.
Yes,this ultra-compact was white! Designed by Toyota's European design studio as an efficient urban driving machine with style, and space for three adults and a child, the iQ at a mere 2.98m in length will thrive on the challenge of tight road spaces.This car will offer a lifestyle statement for the eco-conscious ,with both functionality and low CO2 emissions.This is certainly one to watch for the future.

Tomorrow,I'll show you the other concept contender for car of the show...and yes the colour is white!

Going electric rather than gas at the Frankfurt car show

So another show ends.Was there anything new? Well,of course there was,but most of it had been previewed.The main story could be said to be electric,or more precisely,the development of electric battery technology.This will govern the future for low emission electric cars.

The Frankfurt Motor Show played host to many manufacturers who were trialling or promoting electric cars demonstrating ,in this era of ever rising oil prices and the need to combat the rate of global climate change, their commitment to invest in environmentally-friendly vehicles.Of course the stick is the possibility of the European Commission regulating an even lower CO2 emissions target than 120g/km.

The steepling price of oil at $80+ a barrel makes the electric car ,with its currently expensive battery, a more commercial proposition for the carmaker.

Taking a current production car upgrade,the Toyota Prius uses new nickel-metal hydride batteries.Such is progress,incoming are the much vaunted lithium-ion batteries producing almost twice the power.But they are still mainly at concept because of cost (and some teething problems - batteries have overheated causing fires).There is the Elettrica which is making its first appearance in the UK. More costly than the G-Wiz,this Italian built car will deliver 70 miles of motoring on a charge at a top speed of 45 mph.

Also on show were the Chevrolet Volt and Volvo Recharge reported previously in these pages, and the Nissan Mixim,another concept, but described by the Sunday Times as "powered by compact lithium-ion batteries ,and is all-wheel drive as it has one electric motor per axle.It may only have been driven to the stand at low speed ..., but Nissan predicts it could have a top speed of 112mph, a range of 90-125 miles between recharges, and a charging time as short as 20-40 minutes." Nissan expect to have electric cars using technology like that on the Mixim by 2010.

BMW weighed in with the Concept X6, with ActiveHybrid,which has been driven on electric power alone,or with combustion engine, or a combination of both.Another exciting prospect for the future was the appearance (see picture above)of the C-Cactus by Citroen.So named because it does not drink much,this car can produce a 97 mpg performance.Using half the number of parts of a conventional car,the C-Cactus also uses a significant number of recycled or recyclable materials.Michelin tyres on 21" wheels contribute to reduced road friction to boost fuel efficiency.

A great show. Much promise for more and stylish green production cars in the near future.

So just how many people can you get into a Mini at a stretch?


Old joke it maybe. The answer is a few more than you could in 1967.

BMW have worked on the Mini,a successful retro revival,and with the market call for a low emission car with room have come-up with a stretched version with inspiration from the 1960s Morris Mini Traveller,Austin Mini Countryman and Mini Clubman Estate. There are three engine variants for this latest Mini Clubman. Of these ,the Cooper D emits just 109 g/km of CO2 ,and delivers a combined fuel consumtion of 68.9 mph.There are many recent improvements which combine to produce this more acceptable sub 120g/km car, including Brake Energy Regeneration,Auto Start-Stop and Gear Shift Point indicator.

This car is based on a concept brought to the 2005 Frankfurt Motor Show, and as a car in commercial production available to buy in the UK from 10th November 2007,it will be a star at this year's show. The Cooper D will retail at around £15K. The arrival of the Mini Clubman will help further sales growth which for the Mini range is up nearly 14% year on year for 2007 according to Andy Hearn, MINI UK General Manager.

New plug-in hybrid concept to be unveiled by Volvo at Frankfurt

A specially designed Volvo C30, The Recharge Concept, is expected to wow visitors to the Frankfurt Motor Show.

On August 5th I covered the the emergence of a number of flexifuels from Volvo including the C30. The recharge C30 is claimed to be 66 percent lower in CO2 emissions than the best hybrids available today ,and will be good for the equivalent of 124 mpg for a full charge over a 93 mile drive.

Essentially, the C30 has an electric motor at each wheel ,a lithium-polymer battery in the boot and a 1.6-litre flexifuel engine providing power to a generator which takes over if the battery is exhausted. Magnus Jonsson, Volvo's Vice President of Research & Development comments that with the Volvo Recharge Concept " a person driving less than 60 miles per day will rarely need to visit a filling station."

So is this a stodgy performing car compromised by its green features? Not a bit of it!
The concept retains the sporty look and drive of the C30 ,with acceleration of 0-62 mph in 9 seconds and a top speed speed of 100 mph. Just plug-in for three hours and go (a one hour charge will take you 30 miles).Lower running costs and lower emissions combine in this groundbreaking car.

The principal feature is the combustion engine as backup which only kicks-in to power the Auxiliary Power Unit (APU) of the battery becomes unable to provide the energy for normal driving performance.Apparently the APU is so powerful it can supply a whole house with an electricity supply.It could act as an emergency standby generator.

As with many groundbreaking low emission cars tyres are an important component.And for the C30 Recharge Concept Michelin's specially designed high energy efficient tyres have been employed.

Energy generated in braking is given to the battery, in this truly all-wheel drive car - each wheel is controlled individually.

Flexifuels are designed to operate on E85 ethanol a renewable fuel emitting up to 80% less ~CO2 emissions than petrol - if ethanol is not available then petrol can be used in the same tank.

More exciting news to follow from the Frankfurt Motor Show being held this week.

Conventional combustion engined cars are under some pressure, now!

Peugeot 308 Hybrid The Next Generation

Today's post continues my earlier report (August 30th-Peugeot Putting On the Environmental Style).With the unveiling at next week's Frankfurt Motor Show of the
new 308 hybrid HDi, Peugeot signals its strategy and ambition for 2010-2015.The carmaker is determined to consolidate its leadership in the manufacture of environmentally fiendly cars by 2010.By 2015,it plans to be the most competitive carmaker in Europe.

In this way,Peugeot,like Toyota see the green route is the way to the top.Peugeot is determined to reverse its unsatisfactory profit margins and to improve quality and service.

Back to the 308,the demonstrator model to be unleashed at the Frankfurt Motor Show has impressive green credentials.A diesel,rather than a petrol engine,hybrid power train is used to squeeze out a combined cycle consumption of 83 mpg with emissions of only 90g/km of CO2.

The new 308 to be launched in 2010,has a 110 bhp 1.6 HDi DPFS diesel engine coupled with a 22 bhp electric motor . Its performance is 38% better than an equivalent 308 diesel HDi model. Now that is an improvement!

The engine is also designed to operate in Zero Emission Mode (ZEV) on urban roads.
This will meet a future Euro V directive.On open roads and motorways, diesel will power the car;at low speeds and when starting ,the electric motor alone will operate.

Another aspect I like with the new 308 is the use of Michelin's Energy Saver tyres to reduce rolling resistance.The promoting and continuing development of performance enhancing tyre technology is one of the crucial elements in the satisfactory achievement of low consumption driving.

Roll on the Frankfurt Motor Show!This runs from the 13th -23rd of this month.
I hope to bring you some news and pictures from this showcase event for new concepts and production cars.

Global carmakers serve-up a mixed bag of greens

Today ,the Financial Times reports that last year European carmakers stalled in their bid to cut CO2 emissions.A Brussels based environmental campaign group claims that new vehicle emissions in the European fleets fell by only 0.2.per cent.This is the lowest recorded annual rate of reduction.Emissions fell to 160 g/km, a country mile from a target of 140 g/km set for the end of next year. The European Commission has announced that it will legislate for emissions not to exceed 120g/km by 2012. A worrying trend is that in Spain and Austria carbon dioxide emissions increased last year.

Now,if financial success is the driver for pursuing the green route ,Toyota have made a very strong case. In the years since 2000, its hybrid sales in Europe have topped an accumulative 100,000 units.Toyota and Lexus currently have four different hybrid vehicles(with Toyota's Hybrid Synergy Drive and the Lexus Hybrid Drive) in their offerings for the European market. The mass-produced Toyota Prius, for example, is the best selling sub-120 g/km car.So what about profitability ,with all this massive commitment to low emission cars? It is reported at the end of the its last financial year, Toyota made record profits of $14billion.In the same period ,General Motors and Chrysler in total made losses of about the same amount.

This is truly a mixed bag of greens.But I would back Toyota's charge up the green route to become sustainable number one in carmaking. Already dominating the green car market Toyota (the Sunday Times reports) will be showing its latest petrol-electric car, the Hybrid X, at the Bangkok Motor Show this month.More on this exciting development soon.


Copyright (c) 2007 CFM (Services) Limited.All rights reserved

If this Green Project breaks down you can always Eat the Car!

First-up this month is a 'veggie' development with a difference.Not for the Eco 1, the glitzy and big spending showground that is the Frankfurt Motor Show to be held next week. But this cereal story will probably run and run.The Eco 1 car is truly environmentally friendly, in the low emission class.

It can be said to be truly home-grown.Apart from the chassis, which has to have the strength of steel ( a recyclable material) most other parts of this 150 mph racing car are sourced from nature's crops:fuel from wheat and barley,tyres from potatoes,plastic body parts from plants,brakepads from crushed cashew nutshells.So we have a car made virtually of edible or recyclable material and using energy from biofuels.

This car pictured above is 95 percent biogradable, and the pioneering work to produce it could provide many of the solutions in the future development of both greener racing and mass production motor cars.

If you want to see more details of the Eco1 ,built at the Warwick Manufacturing Group, a department of Warwick University ,you can go to the WMG site. Already WMG,a centre of engineering excellence, is seriously talking to people who may be interested in helping develop the exciting technology for these low-emission cars.

Given WMG's progress to date with this cutting edge project,I feel I can now probably safely say that I will not have to eat my car!

Peugeot Putting on the Environmental Style

Not long ago green motoring was understood to mean driving in cars without style.At Peugeot they believe this is no longer the case and point to their latest model of the 207 as the case in point.A stylish family five-door car,the Peugeot 207 1.6 HDi 90S is not compromised by its environmental credentials. Fuel consumption at a combined 62 mpg,5 star Euro NCAP safety rating, and CO2 emissions of 120 g/km work to place the 207 competitively in band B of the government's VED bracket (£35 per year).

So we have a car of decent family size,stylish exterior and interior,with air conditioning, delivering economic running costs,road tax,income tax (for certain company car drivers) and congestion charge savings.

What is more this car is available now at just a little over £12,000.

The 207 makes it 16 models, producing sub-120 g/km CO2 emissions that Peugeot currently has on offer in the 107,206 and 207 ranges; and another range ,the 308, will follow next month.

Green without compromise on style and performance seems clearly to be the message from Peugeot.

You will find further details on these and other new green cars out at the Green-Car-Guide

Ford's Own Bonneville Flyer on Hydrogen

Last week,Ford Motor Co. notched up a speed record at the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah.

The Fusion Hydrogen 999 reached 207.297 miles per hour on August 15.The success of this venture in part shows the immense pressure that carmakers are under to produce low emission cars for commercial production.Although some two or three years away for the passenger production car , the Bonneville success pointed to a viable development for passenger-car powertrains. We will watch these devolopments in fuel cell technology with interest over the next years.

And what do we have here? Another member of the sub 120 club.

This is a car (shown above) that you will see introduced in 2008. It debuts at the Frankfurt Motor Show on 11th September.With a 1.6-litre turbo-diesel engine ,the Volvo C30'Efficiency' will deliver a fuel consumption of 57.6 mpg and emissions below 120 g/km.

Volvo will be revealing its future plans for hybrids at the Frankfurt Show. We will bring news of this to you.

The New Energy Efficient Honda Hybrid Rally Car Due To Debut At Chatsworth Rally Show

If you have an interest in motorsport and low emission cars, you will regularly find someting to interest you in these pages.

I am pleased to share with you news of Lancashire-based Oaktec's unveiling this weekend of the new Honda Civic Hybrid at Silverstone.This new car has been produced by the Oaktec development project which also developed the Honda Insight,the first hybrid winner of the F1000 class A championship in 2006.

Oaktec, a development project supported by the Energy Efficient Motorsport programme (EEMS) and regional development agencies,sees great environmentally responsible motorsport potential for the Honda Hybrid. The latest hybrid,though bigger and heavier than the Insight, retains the CVT transmission,and the 1338cc 4 cylinder engine with 20kw booster electric motor/generator.

Oaktec partner and co-driver Bill Meeson says"Once the car is up and running we will continue to explore the use of bio-fuels to further add to the car's green credentials."

Immediate plans for the new Honda include a public debut around a special rally stage at Chatsworth at the end of September, and a competitive rally run-out before the yearend.Next year, the car may compete in endurance races.

For more details of this exciting low emission car development...

The Oaktec team is always on the look-out for much needed funding to continue its excellent and most worthwhile work.If your company is looking for a high profile and very worthwhile green project to support with sponsorship you should contact Paul Clarke at the Green-Car-Guide

BlueMotion to Join the Sub-120g/km CO2 Green Car Club

Soon to be joining the ranks of the growing number of environmentally-friendly cars coming-in at under 120g/km CO2 is the Volkswagen Golf BlueMotion.Due to be shown at
the Frankfurt car show next week,this is the most economical Golf with a fuel consumption of 62.8 mph ,and 119 g/km CO2 reduced from 135g/km for the current model.This enhanced fuel efficiency delivers over 1200km (745 miles)from one Golf tank of fuel (55 litres).

The Golf BlueMotion will be available in Germany by the year end.Customers in the UK will have to wait a little longer,for a launch early in 2008.

It is expected that the price will be only marginally more than the current model,and with the better fuel consumption this extra cost will very quickly be recouped.

This model follows the Polo BlueMotion highlighted by low emission cars (Tuesday,27th march,2007

For more details on the Golf...




Copyright (c) 2006-2007 M P Ryan and CFM(Services) Limited. All rights reserved.

GM's Alternative Energy Drive On A Charge With The Volt

The Financial Times today reports that General Motors aims to launch its Chevy Volt electric car by 2010. The challenge is both to perfect the performance of the lithium-ion battery based on a nano phosphate technology, and produce a production model of the Volt which "needs to be affordable to the buyer of a normal-sized car,"says Frank Weber, the carmaker's chief engineer.

low emission cars reported previously on the development of the Volt concept car (January 8,2007) . At the time, it was said that "with the proposed Chevy (or Vauxhall) ,GM have a sporty car with power and promise.This one won't stall on a hill. It has a 1-litre , 3 cylinder petrol engine on board ,but only to recharge the battery."

If the technological challenge with the special battery is solved as expected - GM plan to start testing batteries in October- a solution on cost,in order to price the car within the reach of its target market, being considered by GM is to allow buyers to rent the vehicle's battery.

The FT says that Mr Weber estimates an average Volt owner would,with battery rental,pay similar monthly running costs to that for a traditional petrol-driven family saloon i.e the Chevy Malibu.

Bob Lutz, GM's Vice-President, is reported to have said that a second design of the concept saloon model ( to that shown in January) would be unveiled at the Frankfurt car show next month. We'll keep an eye out for this one,and bring you details as soon as we have them.

You can always keep upto date with this development and all other upcoming items of breaking news by subscribing for updates.Simply leave,without any obligation or cost,your email address (top right of screen).You can unsubscribe at any time without fuss.

Audi Comes Clean With Its Sub-200g/km Emission Luxury Saloon

With the new generation Audi 8 range comes the claim of 'cleanest' luxury saloon. The new 2008 MY Audi2.8-litre V6 FSI petrol model emits 199g/km (the new Lexus LS600 hybrid coughs 219g/km-but it is a 5 litre costing from £81k). Prices for the Audi 8 range from just under £50k to £81k.

Benefits include

• economy boost and emission reduction made possible through direct fuel injection and Audi valvelift technology
• 210 OPS at 5,500rpm,280Nm at 3,000rpm,0-62mph in 8.0 seconds,top speed 147mph,combined mpg 34.0, CO2 100g/km
• enhancements to styling,equipment,ride and handling characteristics
• optional extras include new driver assistance systems using radar technology e.g. lane assist warns driver of unintentional departure from driving lane

• lowest-in-class rolling, road and ambient noise levels claimed

This looks a beauty! Still a whopping CO2 rate but given its size there is environmental consideration. It just shows the technological improvements that are still being squeezed out of the petrol driven cars.
For more details to gaze in awe at ...

Volvo powers-up its range of bioethanol flexifuels

New flexifuel models will soon join the 125PS 1.8F which is currently available in the Volvo C30,S40,and V50.As it continues its long standing commitment to environmental care, Volvo is adding two new engines and models to its FlexiFuel range with the all new Volvo V70 estate and Volvo S80 executive saloon.These will be powered by a two-litre FlexiFuel unit and will be available here later this year.In 2008, there will be a five-cylinder 2.5-litre turbocharged engine.

A senior spokesman for Volvo says,"FlexiFuel has considerable potential in larger models, too."

Fredrik Arp,Volvo Cars President,believes that no single fuel can replace petrol and diesel by itself."Our Flexifuel programme is an important part of our strategy to contribute to sustainable personal mobility."

With five Flexifuel models available, Volvo are to offer the broadest bio-ethanol range in the UK.

DfT Acts On Co2

Today sees the launch of the ActOnCO2 government (Department for Transport) website designed to give car buyers on-line data on the lowest CO2 emission cars available on the market.This site at
www.dft.gov.uk/ActOnCO2 provides a listing of the lowest CO2 rated cars in each of the What Car? defined categories provided.This is tied into a colour-coded new car labelling scheme introduced in July 2005.The message being reinforced is low emissions equals low cost motoring, as a general rule.The information provided is in easily read tabular form for each car category ,and is derived from easy drop-down lists.You have to know what you are looking-for in type of car.It is not the most visually appealing presentation.

Sources of easily accessed information to cut down CO2 emissions are always to be welcomed, whether people will flock to use this particular facility only time will tell.There is a danger of information overload today, and as with all communications it is not always what is said that is paramount but what is actually heard by the target audience.

Overall,the site promotes sensible new car buying combined with a drive for smarter motoring - Smarter Driving Tips

Toyota's hybrid races into history

Back to the cutting-edge of racing cars!Last month, I reported to you(June 12th) the historical first bio-fuelled car win in a major British motorsport championship by the Aston Martin DBRS9.Following fast on the heels of my earlier report comes word of the Denso Toyota Supra HV-R which made history ,the weekend before,by winning the Tokashi 24-Hour race.With this feat,the Toyota became the first hybrid to win a competition.

Last year ,Toyota entered its first hybrid for the Tokashi.The Lexus GS450h made a creditable 17th place in the race.Based on the Supra GT raced in Japan's Supra GT events,this year's Toyota entrant took first spot.The Toyota engineers see such races as a development test bed for their production cars- the Toyota Prius uses a hybrid system- to achieve a lighter more efficient product.

Helping the Supra HV-R's hybrid system along were two technological advances.Firstly, instead of rechargeable batteries, a quick-charging capacitor system was incorporated.This was reckoned to be better suited to the repeated acceleration and deceleration necesssary under race conditions.Secondly,two electric in-wheel(front) motors, and one rear axle-mounted electric motor, enabled greater recovery of energy on deceleration and braking at high speeds.

The frequent technological advances which will continue to feed back into the production of cars for sale to the general public are extraordinary and exciting for future greener motorists.

Paul and Dom talk green cars on the One Show

Today I follow the theme of last Wednesday's post.Paul Clarke, founder of the Green-Car-Guide, took the opportunity on the BBC1 The One Show to talk to Dom,one of the show's team, about the relative mileage performances of three types of green car available to buy in the UK.To view this tv video segment,you should click here to go to
Green-Car-Guide.com

When Dom used less gas than Dim in the tv fuel CO2t challenge

Always good to see a general interest tv programme (BBC1 ,The One Show, 7 pm this evening) giving a slot over to fuel efficiency and low emission cars. Especially when that programme has as a guest, green car expert Green-Car-Guide's Paul Clarke.
First up in the programme we saw 'twin' brothers, Dom Littlewood (real) and Dim Littlewood (false character).

In identical cars doing the same distances, Dom (the sensible one) demonstrated how to drive efficiently - no heavy loads, no speeding, and so on. Dim showed how it should not be done - not checking out competitive petrol prices, driving with side windows open, speeding, driving with heavy boot loads,and so on. Dom proved over his dim brother that his expenditure on fuel was half that of his brother's. Good tips for all for saving money by greener driving .

Now in his turn,Paul explained to Dom the mileage benefits to be gained out of three green cars. First up was a hybrid (60 mpg),second the electric car (600 mpg), and third the bio-power car which can run on bio-ethanol (33 mpg). All three had good credentials as low emitters, but in terms of other features buyers look for in a car there were differences of cost to purchase and what one might call style features. One drawback of the bio-power is the lack of ethanol refuelling pumps in the country, but this is expected to change with demand. Still the message was well received. Dom eventually accepted that a flashy gas guzzler sport car was not for him and chose instead a ...bike? Presumably, because the economy would be greater depending on how far his little pumping legs would take him. 'til next time,then. Happy motoring.

You May Soon Be Able To ZAP!Your CO2 Car Emissions

Last week or two, we have been looking at the currently available, and therefore in production, sub-120 g/kms. So for a moment, lets go back from the sublime to the 'cor blime'(or is it?) and look across the 'pond' at what is coming round the corner in the world of the electric car.

ZAP! (above image from ZAP! site) is constructing the ZAP-X electric SUV possibly to come out in US at the end of 2008.Simultaneously,Zap are working on a sedan derivative of the ZAP-X. This version is expected to achieve a top speed of 100 mph and 100 miles on one charge.The intriguing aspect is the target price:$30,000. The SUV's price is still to be agreed.If,it goes into production (there are many sceptical on likely price-see below)this will be no mere run-about.At 350 miles to the charge - 10 minutes to top-up- the ZAP-X is expected to accelerate from 0-60 mph in 4.8 seconds, its 644 bhp delivering a top speed of 155 mph from its all-wheel hub motors.By any stretch, this is a high performance crossover electric car.Its credentials were enhanced when Zap enlisted the talents of Lotus Engineering to produce the lightweight aluminium body design and strong chassis. Will it work commercially and deliver- we'll have to wait and see. Pretty though!

Accordiing to CNET News,Ian Wright at Wrightspeed,a motor startup, is building his own dream electric machines.He has decided,though, to concentrate his energies on concepts for super cars likely to cost above $100,000 . His X1 prototype will only ever be a concept from which to develop future production cars. In his view, say CNET News," You can't make cheap electric cars.You can now make good cars,but not cheap ones."

The price debate rages around the lithium-ion batteries essential to the electric car.Again ,let's wait and see if Zap have done their sums right when they take to the road with the SUV (and the sedan?)as a product for sale.

If you wish to follow the story why not go to the ZAP! site for further details.

Copyright (c) 2006-2007 M P Ryan and CFM(Services) Limited. All Rights reserved.

Renault sign in with eCO2

Using the expertise gained in Brazil producing the FlexFuel adaptations of the Clio and Megane, Renault is to introduce into the UK for sale the 1.6 litre 16v Megane Hatch E85,at the end of this year.

This is Renault's first UK launch of a bioethanol car and is part of its commitment,called eCO2,to produce environmentally-friendly vehicles for whole of life, including end of life recycling.In the challenges facing manufacturers to reduce CO2 emissions, Renault believe biofuels will have a major role.For More about bioethanol (E85)

The New Peugeot Urban Move is a 107+2

Continuing the theme of sub-120 g/km performers, my post today is about a new Peugeot 107 special edition model. Why 107+2? Well, it emits a mere 109 g/km. It is another in the unsung hero class of sub-120s that are expected to be exempt from the London congestion charge if Ken Livingstone's proposals go through for next year.

Although a petrol, this C1 ,with a top speed of 100mph, has a possible combined consumption of 68.8 mpg from its 1.0 litre engine, and clearly demonstates what can be squeezed out of the 'old conventional' ( or non- hybrid) cars. Already a sales winner the 107 Urban is enhanced in the Urban Move model with many extras, including air conditioning and rev counter. This,though, is a small and light 3- and 5-door car, but at £7,995 it represents excellent value.

Peugeot continues to build on success with the 207 SW

The 207 is a best selling car in Europe. In its new estate, it will continue to be highly economical (at 60.1 mpg for the two 1.6 litre HDi diesels,which will be environmentally-friendly with a CO2 emission rating of just 125g/km.)

Although not quite in the sub-120g/km club, this new model will still appeal to customers who are looking for a little more space and lower carbon emissions. This 207 SW will provide more headroom and interior space from the same wheelbase as the 207 five door hatchback, yielding an extra length of 119mm and height of 38mm.

New cars join the sub-120 g/km CO2 Club
Here are three new cars available to buy now, which each produce less than 120g/km of CO2.At this level of carbon emissions all three cars beat the 130 g/km 2012 target set by the European Commission.

• Skoda 1.4litre TDIPD (80bhp) 120 g/km
• Vauxhall Corsa 1.3 CDTI 75 P5 119 g/km
• Mini Cooper D (64.2 m.p.g) 118 g/km

Benefits for this level of carbon emissions, briefly:

• tax disc reduced cost to £35 (£115)
• in 2008 proposal to eliminate London Congestion Charge
• 40% taxpayer to save £237 p.a. in 2008/09

Further details on these cars can be found on Green-Car-Guide.com

New Saab 9-3 range flexes an engine

The new Saab 9-3 range introduces more powerful (and economical) diesel and petrol engines.Importantly, a BioPower flex-fuel engine will continue to be available with this range.
The BioPower option will be capable of delivering 200 hp running on bioethanol E85 fuel.

With styling , said by Saab to have been inspired by their award-winning AeroX concept car (good to see great ideas eventually being turned into reality), the new range has a sporty feel. And, at the heart of the new cars sits the new state-of-the-art all-wheel drive system, the Saab XWD ,or 'cross-wheel drive'. Fully automatic, the system is designed to optimise handling and stability in all driving conditions.

Although I enjoy seeing the eco- friendly concept cars coming through to be 'aired', and ,also the progress of the now several cars in production running on green energy, it is to the improvements in the 'old' engines and technologies we can still turn ,where further and significant gains can still be achieved in reducing carbon emissions in the short term over the next few years, before the commercial introduction of electric, fuel cell, hydrogen driven cars and their like. As an example, the Saab 9-3 Sport Saloon with a 1.9-litre four cylinder diesel is projected as having a fuel consumption of 47.9 mpg.

So,it is the many diesel,petrol and hybrid models currently being produced, that are already achieving or closing-in on the carbon emission targets of 120 g/km, which I shall be looking more closely at over the next few weeks. We're still looking for efficiency and performance in reducing emissions.

You can find more technical and performance detail of the new Saab 9-3 range of cars at Green-Car-Guide.com

New biofuel with the power of petrol?

As well as energy efficient and well designed cars, I am always interested in what is going to power them in the future.So,from Amyris Biotechnologies, we possibly have an emerging alternative to petrol, which it is said will provide more energy than ethanol, although its basic production material is the same as for ethanol production in Brazil :sugar cane.

Assuming the world can produce enough sugar cane without exploiting the poorer countries and 'starving'global food production of essential arable land, can Amyris deliver, or is this just another good idea that will not work, or make any difference to the challenges facing us? John Melo, Amyris's chief executive clearly thinks his nearly petrol product will do the job.He expects his product to be in full production in 2010.

According to The Sunday Times (May 27, 2007),Amyris is a small biotechnology company based on the edge of Silicon Valley,and has many influential financial backers,including the Bill& Melinda Gates Foundation.The biofuel product however was discovered during work to find a cost effective treatment globally for malaria ( the purpose for which the investment had initially been made i.e. to bring "innovations in health and learning to the global community").

So what is this process all about? The clue is the use of microbes. Amyris claims to be "developing a large-scale fermentation process to renewably produce biofuels."

Time will tell if Amyris's work adds to the sum benefit from the many solutions that will eventually be required to meet our fuel requirements and help produce less harmful green house gases.One to watch.

timesonline
Amyris Biotechnologies

(c)Copyright.CFM(Services)Limited and M P Ryan.All rights reserved.

Aston Martin Bio-fuels its way into British Motorsport History

A bio-fuelled Aston martin DBRS9 became the first of its kind to win a major motorsport event in Britain.Driven By Lord Drayson and Jonny Cocker,the DBRS9 based on the DB9 roadcar won the British GT Championship leg at Snetterton, earlier this month.The car now leads the Championship.Lord Drayson said this showed that with a bio-fuel there need be no compromise in performance.The car which has, like the DB9, a six cylinder V12 engine, was built for Lord Drayson by the Prodrive-run Aston Martin Racing Team. Much more detail can obtained from Green-Car-Guide

The problem of how to bring more green cars quickly to the market was highlighted at the Eco-Friendly Vehicle Exhibition 2007. One of those presenting at the Exhibition was David Roberts,Chairman of Prodrive,and new owner of Aston Martin. He believed motorsport to be a solution,providing a showcase for new green technologies.His recent win in the bio-fuelled Aston Martin strongly supported this contention.

H2O OR NOT CO2, THAT IS THE ANSWER(TO CLIMATE CHANGE)?

With apologies to the Bard for a rather poor parody of one his most famous quotations.
On the serious message ,we can now realistically start to look to using hydrogen rather than carbon,for zero emissions motoring.I say start because BMW has developed a series 7 Hydrogen car that drives like an ordinary petrol series 7.Indeed the Hydrogen 7 can operate with either a conventional engine or its hydrogen drive,changing from one to the other at the press of a button. We are some time away from this being a regular production car: although it clearly works okay, there are still technical hurdles (reducing the weight of the fuel tank holding liquid nitrogen for instance), avilability of supplies (one hydrogen 'pump' in UK at present ,for example! More coming on stream soon). It is still one of viable mid-term viable alternatives to the petrol engine.Its energy input sourced by water,and producing only water as an output, has got to be like finding the Holy Grailor, similar.

Tonight at 8 pm ,there is a screening of Tonight With Trevor McDonald on ITV with some coverage and insight into this extraordinary car and its development;also, a look to the future of other green fuels ,and a 'race' across London with green cars ,are expected be featured.

Another One Million Target - This Time Its the Hybrids

Having posted last the one million annual target set by Ford for its highly efficient new range of diesels, Toyota have announced that the Prius will be profitable by 2010 when the number produced of its groundbreaking green cars will reach one million annually.Toyota expect to bring out a new Prius in late 2008 or early 2009.A first will be the introduction of a lithium-ion battery. Though not confirmed ,it is believed in the industry that the battery is ready for production.Toyota is determined with its powertrain to satisfy customer demand for cost savings and to meet green issues.

Further details at Green Car Guide

In US Diesels and Hybrids to slug it out for green and commercial supremacy

UBS/Ricardo research suggests that by 2012 diesel may have overtaken hybrid in the US as the preferred technology for cars of an acceptable price and also meeting the required standards on gas emissions.The research points to a trend leading to diesel(1.5 million units) and hybrid cars (1.2 million units) combined representing 15% of the light vehicle sector of the automotive industry, by 2012.In Europe diesel is already top-dog.

This trend will have supported the decision by Ford to invest £130 million at its Dagenham facility to produce a new line for its low carbon 1.4 and 1.6 litre Duratorq TDCi turbo diesel engines - an annual output of 1,000,000 by 2009 is the target.

Reducing total car emissions will continue to require a mix of products using many different solutions.Diesel is probably not going to meet all the criteria in the long run, and we shall continue to see in these lec posts for some time to come,reports of the many twists and turns of progress, as manufacturers strive to the find acceptable and sustainable alternative fuels and innovotive technologies.

A Ford Fiesta fitted with a new Dagenham 1.6-litre engine produces 116 grammes of CO2 per kilometre.Getting there.

The Iconic Mini Just Got Greener

As promised, here is the retro image from a brochure that I happened to have in my attic for many years (I also have a 'cutting' from the Liverpool Echo showing the Everton players Joe Royle and Alan Ball in 1989 in front of an opposition goalmouth - as now,Everton was a good side then). In the late 60s, it was more your Led Zeppelin and leaded petrol than climate change and reducing carbon emissions, but style and good design have always been attractive, and we are to be blessed with a new range of minis forty years later which are both stylish, cool and with low emissions.

Classic Morris Mini Mark II Moments from the Attic

When emptying my loft recently, I came across a brochure which must have been there since 1968/69.It is a colour folder ,11'X 8"folded,22"X16" unfolded,on The New Morris Mini Mk II,full colour illustrated.Why is this of any interest? Well ,apart from the fact that it is now a very collectible item ( two copies are currently on eBay for sale), it is also a great lead into the latest generation of minis which are soon going to wow customers. These latest minis will clean-up with a revised engine range and technological revisions, when production starts in August 2007. The mini hatch Cooper D (seen above)will have CO2 emissions of 104 g/km and return an incredible 72.4 mpg.

This astonishing performance will be achieved without recourse to alternative fuels or hybrid technology- a low emission car is a low emission car,after all.

If you would like even more details of the revised mini models,these can be found at the Green Car Guide where there is a test drive report.

If you would like to see more about the grand daddy of this iconic family of motor cars, I am posting a picture from the brochure next.

Act Now On CO2 You Can Save Money By Greener Driving


low emission cars is supporting the government initiative Act on CO2 details here

Over at the Green-Car-Guide you can benefit from Free Driving Tips


You can also take a look at the most environmentally friendly cars currently available to the UK motorist to buy. The Guide will help you to understand what is on offer. It's fun,too!

Biofuels V Food : The Great Global Challenge?

There is talk of the inflationary effect of rising food prices in some developed countries notably the US,UK and New Zealand , driven by the diversion of corn products into alternative fuels for our cars. In the US, for example ,food costs have risen by 7% ,in the first quarter of this year.However,the bottom-line is we need low emission cars.

For corn you can read: soya bean,rapeseed,flaxseed , sugar cane and other renewable crops that can be used for producing the alternative fuels to oil products, like petrol and diesel. All these crops need to grow somewhere. Sometimes, but not always, crops for renewable energy can be grown in areas ,or on land ,not previously used extensively for agricultural purposes. However, when the underutilised capacity has gone ,this is when the serious decisions have to be made. Biofuels or food? Corn for food consumption or for the manufacture of alternative fuels.This is economics on the front line. Supply and demand will rule the day.


Deforestation (in Brazil), or the switch from cereals to ethanol production in the US , will probably continue apace as vast areas are cultivated to meet the demands for ethanol production. I shall be looking in more detail into the Biofuels v Food Challenge in future as part of the whole complex debate about the future of propulsion for cars. In the meantime I have found some relevant useful information at WIMS (see its blog post for 21st May)

If we need low emission cars, we must continue to look at all the options for powering them.
This may help to encourage the commercial development of (say) electric or hydrogen cars.
We must also not overlook the major immediate improvements that can (and are being) made to the performance and emission reduction of petrol and diesel driven cars.

In my next post we pick-up on a government initiative to encourage us to drive 'cleaner'.

Some BMWs just got even greener


BMW's launch of the revised models of both the 1 series and the 5 series, reminds me that reducing the level of total emissions from cars significantly rests not on any one solution but a balanced use of many solutions.For example, the conversion of all cars to biofuels is not the total answer to removing the car's contributory threat to climate change. I am interested in the current 'biofuels versus food' debate ,but this is for another day,soon. What BMW demonstrate is that a great deal can still be done to improve the performance of petrol and diesel cars of quality,significantly reducing emissions and increasing fuel consumption.

The 1 series is:

• now available in a 3 door version;and
• the 118d (the lower powered 2 litre diesel engine) can yield over 60mpg
• and CO2 emissions of just 123g/km
• this means emissions cut by upto 21% and fuel consumption by upto 24%

So, BMW believe that more environmental benefits can be teased out adopting its 'Efficient Dynamics ' system to describe the improved energy efficient innovations and rear-drive approach.

If you would like more information on the 1 series (and also the 5 series), for different engine sizes, petrol or diesel etc., you should go to the Green Car Guide site.

Toyota Prius: The car of the Future that delivers Today





Who says so? Well, UK customers in their thousands do. The Prius, the hybrid ,has scooped the 2007 JD Power Award, along with its stablemate the Lexus IS , based on feedback from a customer satisfaction survey report. This survey asked for a response in four principle areas : quality and reliability, service satisfaction, vehicle appeal and value for money.

For more about this achievement ,and the record breaking seventh consecutive gold award won by the Lexus IS please go to ...

A car to look out for this summer is the Lexus LS 600h featuring the latest development of the Lexus Hybrid Drive.
I will bring information to you on this when it is available.

Tackling Climate Change Will Not Cost The Earth

This is the headline message according to BBC reports from the UN climate change conference (a session of the IPCC)currently being held in Bangkok.

So, having been assured by an Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report in February, that human activity is largely responsible for climate change, we are now being re-assured that the human race has choices in its future activities which can tackle the worst effects of this change.

Holding the concentration of CO2 emissions at an acceptable level can be achieved at a reasonable cost to the world economy. More information...

We have no excuse. Appropriate action now can save our global environment. There are the changes to be made by consumers,generators of energy,the procurers of nuclear weapons, and other identified sector influencers named in the IPCC reports. Technology though is not seen as the full answer.There must also be more incentives for people to restrict their activities to those that produce the least greenhouse gas emissions.

low emission cars have a role to play in the brighter and more certain future.
We all must encourage the motor manufacturers and designers to produce the cars that we can all enjoy to drive and know they will not be hastening climate change.The fuel and engine technologists are also working to significantly reduce harmful gas emissions.The future is looking better.

No Carbon cars

Last week was a particularly busy week for green issues.So,I cannot let time go by without some comment on taking the car out of carbon.Some geezer bid at a charity do £1.1m for a Bugatti Veyron (not very green).He could have bought two Koenigsegg CCXR which run on bioethanol (much better - but £531,000 each- ouch!)This is a green super car in production and on the market.

Going back to cor blimey,the German manufacturer Loremo will be producing in a couple of years a car more in my price bracket- the Loremo LS , powered by biodiesel, is expected to cost just short of £8,000. With an amazing consumption of 165 mpg claimed, the down side for some maybe the acceleration at 60 mph in 20 seconds.A GT model,a little dearer at around £10,000 may do 60mph in 9 seconds. This ultra lightweight car with low-drag design (that is part of the secret to its consumption credentials),looks very good (above)and the wait could be worth it.Green motoring does not look likely to be too boring in the not to distant future. The Toyota FT-HS,Chevy Volt,and the Tesla Roadster, all featured at some time on low emission cars are eagerly awaited- in the next few years,although currently they are looking rather expensive, and the most successful engine and fuel technologies are still being worked on to achieve the winning products in terms of performance,style and affordability.

Bio production powers ahead in Europe

Total European production of bioethanol in Europe was 71% higher in 2006 than 2005,having risen to 1,525 million litres, according to figures released recently by the European Bioethanol Fuel Association (eBio). This makes a total increase of 143% in production of this fuel since the beginning of 2004.

Eleven European countries currently produce ethanol, and more are expected to join them as demand for the fuel increases with the European Commission's 2010 looming target: 5.75% of fuel used for transport is to come from renewable sources.

Today, I decided to remind myself how the ethanol production process worked and found on the ebiosite this informative link

Do you have ideas to communicate greener motoring messages? Want to get them off your chest?


On 7th March, I posted details and link for the LowCVP marketing challenge. This is by way of reminder that marketers,students and industry stakeholders have until closing date of 16th May to submit their completed entry forms for this competition.

This competition was given great impetus from the then recently announced European Commission's important new proposals to reduce carbon dioxide emissions from new cars and vans sold in the EU. A panel of 12 senior advertising and communications industry executives will judge the entries and the winning work will be viewed at the LowCVPs annual conference to be held on 28th June.

Effective communication is, of course, vital in the movement towards significant reduction in carbon emissions. Participants can enter any of the following six categories:

• Low carbon Fuels
• Responsible vehicle use
• Smarter driving
• Responsible low carbon business transport
• Low carbon passenger cars
• Low carbon vans

Further information can be found on the CARS NOT CARBON competition here
and here

Toyota's Lean (and now Green)Production Machine -the Story

Back in January, I featured the Toyota FT-HS hybrid sports car. Just one of many examples where Toyota is leading the world in green technologies, and it is likely to continue to lead. This certainly comes as no surprise to me now, as I come to finish a book about the phenomenal rise of Toyota in world class car manufacture.



The book entitled : "The Machine That Changed The World" reads a little like a recently discovered success story. It was, in fact first published in 1990. So, as I curled up in front of a warm fire , thus fending-off the still lingering chill of an early spring evening, I found myself surprised to be absorbed by a management classic on best manufacturing practice rather than a mystery thriller or 'whodunnit'. The surpise, too, was that the Toyota success story chronicled a long history of achievement, and yet, in 1990 (now 17 years ago),Toyota was only half the size of General Motors. The reissued book still stands the test of time as a testament to monumental success. As the book cover blurb says,"Today, Toyota is passing GM as the world's largest automaker and is the most consistently successful global enterprise of the past fifty years."

Essentially, the authors of the book have traced , in full but fascinating detail, the roots of a production system which maximises the creation of value by human effort. It is easy to draw a first impression that the story is all about a titanic struggle between the US and Japan to create industrial excellence and supremacy. This would not be right, and the authors reject the misconception. It is more about the emergence of a global production environment where lean production has taken-on mass production,and won.

So it was that the Americans,Ford and Sloan , created mass production which was emulated in industries beyond automotive. The Japanese,Toyoda and Ohno, built the lean production system, the techniques of which were and are now used by other industries. In 1990, the authors were looking forward to a better world of lean production. In their Afterword 2007, they quite appropriately for a continuing complex study have modified some of their thinking in the years between first publication and now, but they still uphold the lean production system to be the clear ongoing winner. This a great story. You should get this if you are business owner,manager, or student; or you simply enjoy reading how things work in a climate of excellence around the world.The Machine That Changed the World: The Story of Lean Production-- Toyota's Secret Weapon in the Global Car Wars That Is Now Revolutionizing World Ind

You won't find this green car baby under a gooseberry bush - low emission cars are not new





Continuing the plant related theme for greener motoring ... the Sexy Car Show ,now running at the Eden Project in Cornwall until 15th April, is host to many cars past,current and future which are powered by fuels derived from plants. Although, the drive for greener motoring is a very pressing issue now, cars capable of driving on vegetable oils were around over 80 years ago. The model 'T' Ford, the iconic car from the 1920s ,was able to run on ethanol, or grain alcohol. Ford Motor Company founder, Henry Ford believed that fuel derived from vegetable oils would drive the cars of the future. So, too, did Rudolf Diesel. In 1898, Diesel managed to arrange to have his US patent for 'the internal combustion engine' put into production and the first diesel engines in the US were made. He is reported to have said of vegetable oils that:"such oils would in course of time be as important as petroleum...". What happened?
Everyone, it seems, ran scared of the oil (petroleum, that is) investors. After all, it (petrol) was viewed as relatively cheap and plentiful, and the environmental harm either not known or ignored

Well, Diesel did not see his dream for fuel oils fulfilled, but... For more on the cars and fuels action , you can see reports from the Sexy Car Show here

More gooseberry fool than April fuel?


Biofuels according to Wikipedia ,and others, are derived from biomass- recently living organisms or their metabolic byproducts.

So,biofuels can be made from,for example: corn,soya beans,flax seed,rape seed, sugar cane,palm oil, jatropha,straw, timber,manure,rice,sewage, biodegradable waste,microalgae,hemp ...and gooseberries?

Copyright 2006-2007 M P Ryan and CFM(Services)Ltd. All rights reserved