Mazda to be awarded for outstanding innovative in-depth study to achieve cleaner diesel engine exhaust emissions

In May,the Mazda Motor Corporation will be given the prestigious 'Outstanding Technical Paper  Award 2008' by the Society of Automotive Engineers of Japan for its research into the combustion process of catalysts in particulate filters to cut down still further the amount of 

emissions,particularly soot, released into the atmosphere.

Mazda will soon be applying its analytical methods to improve car performance, and reduce CO2 emissions.

For current Mazda models you should go to the Mazda website. You can also find a review of the Mazda 6 which went on sale in the UK in January at the Green Car Guide. Though a much improved model on performance,there is probably still more to be done in the 'green' sense.

Lowest Average CO2 emissions that's Fiat

According to a recent analysis by JATO Dynamics, automotive specialists, Fiat has the lowest average average CO2 emissions among the 10 best-selling car manufacturers in Europe for vehicles sold in 2007.

The top brands ranked as follows:

Fiat  137.3 g/km

Peugeot 141.9 g/km

Citroen 142.2 g/km

Renault 146.4 g/km

Toyota  148.8 g/km

Ford   149.1 g/km

Opel/Vauxhall  152.9 g/km

Volkswagen   161.7 g/km

BMW 176.7 g/km

Mercedes-Benz 188.4 g/km

This survey shows that manufacturers are committed to finding innovative ways to reduce carbon emissions.

By 2009, Fiat expects all its engines will meet European standards for emissions. It is reported that the Fiat 500 (shown above) and the Fiat Bravo are already Euro 5-ready

Volkswagen Polo BlueMotion achieves 740 miles on one tank of diesel

The Volkswagen Polo represents what can be achieved in the struggle to reduce carbon emissions. It has a 1.4-litre diesel engine but, by a series of small adjustments ,VW have produced a high fuel performance (74.3 mpg) and low, 99 g/km, CO2 emissions. Aerodynamics,engine and gear 'tweaks', low resistance tyres and special light weight wheels,help to coax the Polo Blue Motion to achieve the parsimonious fuel consumption.

This Polo is a classic example of what can been done in small steps to develop an efficient and environmentally-friendly car. The Norwich Council is so taken with it, its ordered 50 of them. 

For free details of other green cars, go to the Green Car Guide website by clicking here.

The Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation (RTFO)

From 15th April, the RTFO comes into operation. So what does it mean?

Green Car Guide reports :

"The Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation (RTFO) requires 2.5% of all road fuels sold to come from biofuels ,rising to 5% by 2010. It's claimed that this will save 2.5 million tonnes of carbon dioxide by 2010 and is part of a package of measures being taken to reduce the impact of transport on the environment- although some critics claim that biofuels cause more harm than good, and so a review into biofuels is also underway."

At low emission cars , we feel that all reasonable steps, however small, in the fight to reduce CO2 emissions are worthwhile. Biofuels is just one part in the overall solution. The debate on the sustainability issues is very important and must continue, and the balance in the economic use of crops (fuel versus food) carefully weighed.

Copyright (c) 2006-2008. CFM(Services)Limited. All Rights Reserved.

Ford help take some of the heck out of check for tyre safety and to reduce CO2 emissions  

Ford can now provide an automatic system that checks to ensure your car tyres have not deflated. The tyre pressure monitoring system  works while the car is in motion, and alerts the driver with an alarm and visual instrument warning, if the pressure in one tyre or more needs attention.

Ford are at pains to say that though their system provides an effective warning system it does not replace the need for regular driver pressure checks.

It may, however, critically detect a weakness or puncture which would not otherwise have been spotted.

The Deflation Detection System (DDS) uses the same sensors as the anti-lock brake and stability systems. Ford customers are currently able to specify DDS for the Focus and Kuga. 

Another type of system, the Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) is available for the Mondeo, S-Max and Galaxy. This system works with sensors in each of the wheels to measure any loss of pressure.

Obviously, this is a huge safety feature. It is also an excellent way, through constant monitoring and action , to ensure pressures are always at a level to maximise fuel performance and,therefore, keep CO2 emissions to a minimum, for the type of car being driven. 

72% of UK companies surveyed recently agree with you that switching to greener cars will not cost more

At least, if you have been following these pages for a little while ,you will now probably agree that switching to lower carbon emitting cars does not cost more and can actually be a significant money saver. A recent influential report from the Energy Saving Trust reckons that UK companies could save up to £3billion a year if they switched their fleets to cars in the sub-120g/km of CO2 emissions class to take advantage of the tax breaks and improved fuel consumption.

The EST , from their sample survey of 400 board-level executives, report's that probably 28% of UK companies believe that such a switch would cost money (by deduction I arrive at the headline 72%- Ed).

For a report of the breakdown of the £3billion figure you can go to the Green Car Guide web page

If you would like to speak to a green fleet expert you can call the EST hotline now

at 045 602 1425 or go for further free information to www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/fleet

Another excellent reason to go to the Green Car Guide website is to register for
Live!2008 Green Motor Show for a not to be missed opportunity,both for the business owner looking to reduce costs and the private car owner, to see 'up close'the very latest green vehicles on the market.

Copyright (c) 2008.CFM (Services) Limited.All rights reserved.
For Terms and Conditions of Use click on October 2006 post above right in archives.

 The sub-120 g/km club for low emission cars just got bigger again with the Suzuki Swift

Suzuki are driving down costs for drivers of their Suzuki models. With the 1.3-litre DDiS model of the Swift,the CO2 emissions are now lower,and the total running cost is lower,too. At 119g/km of CO2 this car rates for a saving of £80 on the road tax, and from late October this year will qualify for London Congestion Charge exemption, which for a driving commuter means a probable saving of £2,000 per annum.

Engine performance delivers 61.4 mpg in the combined cycle. The attractive Swift comprehensive spec comes as standard: radio/CD player, remote central locking and immobiliser, electric windows,electric and heated door mirrors,steering-wheel mounted audio controls and tinted. The 1.3 DDis also provides air conditioning,alloy wheels,front fog lamps and key less entry and start. Impressive,but to be fair, you would expect most if not all these items when shopping for a current supermini. So do check them out before you buy.

And there's the safety consideration also. The Swift has collected impressive awards from Euro NCAP for occupant,child and pedestrian protection.

NFU 100 not-out champions new low-emission Peugeot 308

The National Farmers Union (NFU),which is celebrating its 100th birthday, has taken delivery of a plant-powered 5-door S HDi 90 Peugeot 308. Using a 30% blend of biodiesel (B30)produced from British oil seed rape and used cooking oil,the NFU' s 308 has achieved CO2 emissions below 100g/km.

As part of the NFU's backing for biofuels, the trial car is to be driven around the country on business to farming communities by chief renewable energy adviser Jonathan Scurlock who says,"Biofuels can be made from a variety of plant material such as vegetable oils,wheat and sugar beat, and can greatly reduce carbon emissions while meeting practicable environmental standards of production." In this way, he sees farmers and growers are already making a vital contribution to reducing climate change,"while at the same time ensuring UK food security by providing fresh,quality produce,"he says.

Using the B30 fuel , while reducing carbon emissions, does not effect car performance, according to Peugeot Managing Director,Pierre Louis Colin.

Peugeot report that all its HDi models made since 1998 can run without modification on a 30% blend of biodiesel with the mineral diesel ,known as B30.

Though there is currently a limited number of forecourts selling the B30 biodiesel , more biofuel processing plants are under construction on Teeside,Humberside and in Norfolk.

For more information on renewable energy options for cars, and details of many of the environmentally-friendly cars currently available to buy in the UK you should visit the
Green Car Guide

Hyundai asks if you have an 'i' for a bargain- the i10 comes with a great deal

In the current financial climate,consumers are going to be wooed even more ardently than previously by car manufacturers with 'special' deals.Hyundai is one such manufacturer,with a range of efficient and low CO2 emitting cars.They are selling on the basis of excellent value.

Take the 5-seater,i10 1.1 litre, for example,which comes with a spec to check. At 119g/km CO2 emissions and 56.5 mph on the combined cycle ,this is an economical city car with so much on it as standard.Air con,electric front windows,power steering,stereo radio+CD player,front and side airbags,and tinted glass are all thrown in.

The i10 competes in its class with the Toyota Aygo ,Fiat Panda and Citroen C1.It saves at £35 on road fund licence,is likely to be exempt from the London congestion charge,and should also be competitive on motor insurance costs.

So if you are a first time car buyer,or looking to downsize because of the tax and CO2 savings the i10 could be just for you.As a further sweetener Hyundai is trying to make it as affordable as possible.For a limited period,until 30th May 2008,the company is offering Personal Contract Purchase (PCP).This arrangement can provide a flexible purchase option,with low,fixed,monthly payments.But you do need to check it out to make sure it suits your specific requirements. In the case of the i10,payments of just under £100 per month are on offer.On the road,this car is from £6,495, according to the Hyundai website where you can see full details about the car and the PCP option, by clicking here

Drive your car like a professional and help reduce climate change

Here is an interesting and fun way to check your driving style and the effect it is having on the environment. The Fiat 'EcoDrive' system,first announced last year at the Frankfurt Motor Show, caused a stir at the recent Geneva Car Show.

From this month certain Fiat models,including the 500,will be delivered with the Blue & Me gate enabling through a USB key driving data to be collected.So as you drive away you plug in the USB key. Then when you leave your car you take away the USB key and connect it to your PC. You can then access charts and reports presented in a clear and easily understandable way about your driving,with tips and solutions to improve your performance.

This system helps you achieve the optimum performance for your car which you probably would never get near otherwise. Why is this so? Well, the published consumption and CO2 emission figures are ,for consistency, derived from road tests by professional drivers under 'control' conditions i.e. certain test track road surfaces, with ancillary car equipment switched-off like the heater,radio,air conditioning. In normal conditions, you may travel on rural,urban and motor ways at different times, and in varying weather conditions. There is also your own individual driving style which may throw-in another variable when comparison is made with the manufacturer's published performance for a car.

Fiat collaborated with Microsoft on this piece of technological wizardry,a driving aid which in similar form may be soon common in most new cars.

If you can stand a simple cartoon from 'Franco' and friends which fully explains the 'from car to PC in a USB' EcoDrive system now available in some new Fiat models do Click Here! for a free presentation.

The Citroen C1- Probably the Most Economical Car in the UK?

It's official. The Citroen C1 Diesel has the lowest fuel cost of any conventionally powered car available to buy in the UK today.
At a fuel cost of £736 over 12,000 miles, this makes this thrifty little motor cheaper to run by half than many large family cars.
Who says so? The Department of Transport's Agency, the VCA, that's who, when it announced its latest New Car Fuel Consumption& Emission Figures ahead of last week's Budget.

With just 109 g/km of CO2 emissions,the C1 Diesel offers further good news of money saving. Annual Vehicle Excise Duty is just £35 per annum. For Londoners, the congestion charge could soon be a fat zero with this car if the expected exemption is introduced later this year. This could save a regular driver in the congestion charge area a potential £1,500 a year.

In closing, let me remind you of another in the Citroen family, the C4 1.6 HDi with automatic electronic gearbox,which has a parsimonious fuel spend of just over £800 for 12,000 miles driving.It,too,is in the sub-120 g/km of CO2 club. Enjoy,too, more family space in this 5-door hatchback.

Th!nk big for the environment in this small electric car

I promised you a further little gem from the recent Geneva Motor Show.No,I do not really have an 'only small is good policy' in these pages.There will be plenty of larger and more powerful (but fuel efficient) cars regularly featured on lec.

However, it is good to see another 'green' city runabout coming to market.Later this year, Norwegian carmaker Think, and self-proclaimed 'carmaker of the 2st Century',launches the new fully electric powered Th!nk.It was well received in Geneva.Made for city driving,this is a proper modern urban car,a two-seater with a top speed of 65mph. On just an overnight top-up,the Th!ink's fully charged battery will enable it to go 124 miles in urban driving.Nought to 30 mph acceleration in 6.5 seconds,this car will only set you back about £125 in electricity costs for 10,000 miles of motoring!

It is a truly environmentally-friendly car,emission-free and 95% recyclable.The body is made of a special unpainted ABS plastic which is dent and scratch resistant.The batteries are returned to the supplier at the end of their useful life.

Power steering,central locking,electric heater and mirrors and windows come as standard.Options to add will include air conditioning,pre-heat timer,radio CD with MP3,USB,Bluetooth, and a navigation system, and 2+2 children seats.

I am advised that orders in the UK for the Th!nk will be taken in the last quarter of this year. At £14,000,or thereabouts,it may seem a little pricey compared to other currently available small urban motors with green credentials.But that £125 for its power costs over 10,000 miles is worth checking-out,so,too, is the whole recyclable aspect.

Think is a company now finding its time has come,having struggled to survive in its early days - the company is 17 years old-and the future looks green and profitable.

Another small car tomorrow - probably the most economical in the world currently available -and in following days we'll try to find something a little larger to consider.

Green Car Guide's 10 of the Best Cars

I thought you would like a list of the cars considered at this time to be the best green cars by the Green Car Guide. The cars have been chosen for their environmentally friendly credentials.

The Mini Cooper diesel features in the list. Top slot probably deservedly goes to (you may have guessed) the best selling Toyota Prius (shown above). The list includes:

2 electric cars
2 petrol-electric hybrids
2 cars capable of running on petrol or bio-ethanol
2 petrol cars
and 2 diesels

So which other cars are named in this short list? You can find out by clicking here

Low Emission Cars Galore! At the Green-Car-Guide Live! 2008 Motor Show

This is the big event. Now that running a car has never been potentially so expensive ,it ismore important than ever to look very carefully at the options for greener driving ,before you buy your next car.

It is not only your pocket that may suffer, but the environment is also at grave risk. The sheer and growing volume of vehicles on the roads of the world ,and the pollutants in exhaust gases spewing from those vehicles conventionally powered by petroleum products - oil production is in decline- are significantly contributing to climate change.

At the Green-Car-Guide Live! 2008, you can see the 'metal' up close. And the tickets are

FREE! Get yours today.

You can expect to see the latest range of low carbon vehicles, including city cars through to executive cars and light commercial vehicles. This wide display will interest both businesses
and private motorists.

Please remember that it is a ticket only event, and tickets can only be obtained through the Green-Car-Guide website.

Go to the Green-Car-Guide website for further details of this main event to be held in Liverpool , the 2008 City of Culture. Click here.

Low emission smaller cars with big ideas from Fiat

With an array of models ,which come under the bar set by the Mayor of London of 120g/km of CO2 , Fiat is expressing its determination to lead when it comes to environmentally-friendly cars.

Sub-120 means qualification for the vehicle excise duty (VED) A or B band and a 100% discount from the congestion charge.

No congestion charge then , from 27th October 2008, for drivers of cars which meet the Euro 4 standard for pollution emissions. These include:

• the new Fiat 500 1.2 litre and 1.3 16v ,at 119 and 110 g/km of CO2 respectively
• the Grande Punto 1.3 MultiJet Active and Dynamic 3-and5-door models (119g/km)
• the new mid-size Bravo 1.6 MultiJet 105 with Special Eco-pack (119g/km)
• the Panda 1.3 litre MultiJet Dynamic (114g/km)

Fiats all. Remember,too,you can pay just £35 road tax on anyone of the above cars.Have a look and check-out the manufacturer's details.You can find some further detail at the Green Car Guide website -click here.

More from the Geneva Motor Show very soon.

Copyright (c) 2008 CFM(Services)Limited. All rights reserved.

The i-popping Q from Toyota

Flush with success from its Prius sales,Toyota feel confident that it can very quickly flex its green credentials by turning the tiny,eco-friendly, iQ concept,unveiled just six months ago at the Frankfurt Motor Show, into a production reality ,and put it on sale before the end of this year.

Dubbed the "world's smallest four-seater passenger car", the intelligent iQ can seat three adults and a child . Wider than a Smart,it is less than 3 metres in length.

This car will find its ideal home as an urban runabout. It has a 500cc plug-in powerplant. CO2 emissions will be at 99 g/km scoring a Euro NCAP 5 rating.

Toyota expect to be making 100,000 units of the iQ in its first full year of production.

Of the successful hybrid,the Prius ,a Toyota spokesperson says,"By 2009 we are expecting demand in Europe to more than double to 70,000 units."In 2007, European sales of the Prius were at 32,000 units, up 40% on 2006.

And there's more...Toyota is also working on another plug-in hybrid concept, the 1/X. This is said to be an extremely light car combining plug-in hybrid and flex-fuel technologies.Although a third the weight of the Prius, the 1/X will have the same interior space, and its efficiency will deliver 62 miles for a little over 2 litres of fuel.

Toyota seem to be steaming ahead with their plans to stay in the forefront of the drive to produce more ,and more efficient, cars.



Copyright (c) 2008 CFM(Services)Limited.All rights reserved.

Green Sounds in a Hue of Blue at the Geneva Car Show

At the 78th International Auto Show in Geneva the visitors, 700,000 in total expected during the event upto 16th March,are well into their stride.According to the Geneva Tribune, they " will be overwhelmed by soothing shades of blue." It would seem that green technology,and there is more of it again this year,has been cloaked in a marketing make-over of blue.There are many cars going under names like Blue Motion,Blue Lion and Blue Tech.

Size also matters.A few years ago,very small cars,and particularly electric cars,would not have been given 'house' room bigger than a broom cupboard.Now,Tata have unveiled outside India the Nano to wide public interest,and Toyota is showing a microcar less than three metres long.So going smaller and alternative energy technology often go hand in hand in the drive for economy and efficiency for the family car.

Other headline notes are:

• Volkswagen premieres the Golf TDI Hybrid -this 1.2 litre diesel concept is designed to emit less than 89g/km ogf CO2 and deliver 83 mpg
• VW also unveils a natural gas-fuelled car - the Passat estate TSI EcoFuel- it uses 5.2 kilogrammes of gas per 100 kilometres
• Again,from,VW is the Sharan BlueMotion - (shown above in a less than blue hue)
  
• All-New Ford Fiesta Twins make a debut
• KIA Soul concepts and eco-c'eed Duo to star at Geneva
• SEAT are to show a landmark concept
• SAAB defines its future design with the 9-X Bio-Hybrid concept
• The Hyundai HED-5 i-Mode concept said to hint at a future MPV production model
• and the previously mentioned Toyota iQ takes a bow

So,plenty of new production cars,together with glimpses of the future with the new technology concepts. A main theme of the show remains,though, the drive by many manufacturers to improve the efficiency of many of their existing models.

More soon from this car feast of delights, a mix of dreams and of reality.

Oh What A Motor Show!At Geneva its a Case of the Two E's:Efficiency and Emissions.

In Geneva,Switzerland,the largest Motor Show of its kind in Europe will be officially open to visitors tomorrow.One headline is that car manufacturers are tussling with the challenges of a decline in demand from the mature markets(e.g.North America,Spain ,Italy)but are experiencing burgeoning demand from the emerging markets like Russia,India and China.VW's chief is expecting a 25% growth this year from its China business alone.
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Anyway let's return to the stars of the Show. And the big stories are likely to be lithium-ion battery charged.It is said that Toyota will officially announce that it is going into mass production with its lithium-ion batteries for low-emission cars.Mercedes are also charging-up a 'C' class with same technology.Weighing-in,too, will be General Motors which is developing its hybrid Chevrolet Volt. And,among the quirky,comes the sporty Rinspeed sQuba,also powered by lithium-ion batteries,which has the capability of underwater swimming.

There will be much more as the Show goes on,including a tasty-looking all-new five-door Ford Fiesta (shown above).But we need to look at its green credentials.There will be production model launched in the Autumn based on the lines of the Verve concept.There will be a sub-100g/km CO2 emission model, the ECOnetic version - some further details are posted at the Green Car Guide website.

Back soon.

Smart: a little book for a little car

Self professed Smart car 'nut',Paul Jackson, has written a history of the Smart car : the city-coupe,fortwo,crossblade and roadster coupe.This is the story thus far from 1998 and the promise of major worldwide sales in the future. This is 128 pp packed with text and 100 colour pictures.There are highs and lows. Failures and successes.It is in paperback, and 140mm tall X 140mm.

This is written by a guy who has owned many Smart cars.He seems to know what he is talking about and is prepared to share his experience and expertise of this small low emission car.

To view sample pages and details of where you can order this fascinating and entertaining story go to the Veloce Books website

The Greenline is another Fab(ia)Skoda

Earlier in the day, I covered a currently available Fabia estate a frugal 1.4 TDI at 120g/km emissions of CO2.Another in the Skoda family will soon be available,as of 21st April.The Fabia Greenline 1.4 TDI hatchback (shown above) can only be described as fabulously frugal.At nearly 69 mph consumption on the combined cycle,and CO2 emissions of a mere 109g/km,this is truly lean and green.Skoda says,the estate version of the Greenline models is probably the greenest and leanest estate currently for sale in the UK for the money - around £12,140(the hatchback- £11,490)

Just to put the performance another way, one tank of diesel should enable the Greenline driver to achieve a distance of 689 miles.