Countdown to Green Car Guide Live!2008:Set to be the UK's largest Green Motor Show

In less than a fortnight, what is set to be the UK's largest Green Car Show will open its doors for one day only on Thursday,12th June 2008, at the award winning Arena and Convention Centre in Liverpool.

Whether or not you are concerned with the impact of pollution on the environment and the need to significantly reduce CO2 emissions, you may be excited by a large array of new cars and other vehicles on show, or at the very least interested in efficient motoring saving you money in fuel costs and taxes.

These are three very good reasons - environmental protection,love of cars and the latest in technology,and personal money savings-apart from a great day out in a great city, to visit this show on the 12th June.

At the show will be low carbon vehicles ranging from city cars through to executive cars and commercial vehicles. Vehicle technology will include petrol,diesel,biofuel,hybrid and electric. Of immense interest will be the display of a revolutionary technology that captures CO2 from a vehicle. The CO2 is then used to make biofuel... But how? All will be revealed at the show.

If you,like me can't wait to get to Liverpool, you will need to register for free admission online before you arrive for the event. You can do this by clicking here for the Green car Guide website and for further information.

Low Co2 that's the Mazda 2

Already 2008 World Car of the Year, the new Mazda 2 stable adds a 3-door version to the 5-door. Economy and performance are driven by the use of lightweight high-tensile steels and new technology.


Weighing in at 100kg lighter than the previous model, the all-new Mazda 2 comes as a1.3-litre petrol engine,or a 1.4 diesel,and from July you will be able to buy a 1.5 103 ps petrol powered version. The 3-door and 5-door are the same size,and have a generous spec worth checking out, including front airbags(both sides),remote central locking,multipurpose glovebox,alarm and immobiliser, and so on.

With a high 5-star Euro NCAP crash test rating, the Mazda 2s can deliver a fuel economy of up to 65.7 mpg, and CO2 emissions from 114g/km. This is a quality ,low cost, good ,performing car. You can go for a 'Sport' 3-door from £11,399,or the TS from under £8k-there are models priced in between. Oh,I nearly forgot to mention the road tax (VED) rate at a probable £35 per annum-Band B (101-120g/km). Check it out.


Copyright (c) 2006-2008. CFM(Services)Limited. All rights reserved.

Audi A3 now with lower emissions

Audi is claiming that it has reduced CO2 emissions across the range,through improvements boosting efficiency in its petrol and diesel engines. Upto 15% reductions have been achieved in new and improved existing engines to be on the market from July this year.

Models such as the 1.8 TFSI S tronic will deliver a reduction taking total CO2 emissions from 179g/km down to 153g/km.

Over the last few weeks, much emphasis has been placed here, and in other forums, on the sub-120 g/km cars. These often are seen to benefit the planet most, and they can be tax efficient,too. Sometimes the claims of manufacturers have been challenged - laboratory performance may not equate with actual road performance. Though this maybe true, the fact is that cars are becoming more fuel efficient and less polluting. So,here and now, we should applaud the continuing efforts to drive-up efficiency and drive-down levels of pollution. There is no 'silver bullet', unless cars were to be banned overnight.

For more details on the Audi A3, there is a full report for you at the Green-Car-Guide here.

The Nissan Pivo a car with no CO2 emissions and no reverse

For a short period, 24th May to 1st June, there is a an opportunity to see the amazing futuristic Nissan Pivo, a concept car touring with a new exhibition called the The Science of Survival, at the Science Museum in London.

Generating none of the emissions of most current road vehicles, the Pivo has also dispensed with the need for a reverse gear. When it needs to reverse it relies on a 360-degree swivel of the whole of the driving cabin. Blind spots are eliminated with the use of screens which show the exterior around the vehicle. Looking not unlike a cartoon creation for a Walt Disney film, the Pivo provides further all round visibility through large doors ,windscreens and windows. But this is serious technology from Nissan for the future, adopting lithium-ion battery power.

The Science of Survival is a new, hands-on, family exhibition, which uses the latest environmental research to challenge visitors to create their own sustainable city of 2050. The exhibition highlights possible ways of changing and adapting how we live to ensure that we will be able to survive in 2050. The Science of Survival runs at the Science Museum, London until 2 November 2008, before touring internationally.

The Pivo is a great example of latest thinking in environmental inventions and devices to help ensure we survive in 2050.

Make a great half-term visit . A rare opportunity.

Tomorrow, something closer to now, and available to buy today.

Chevrolet Matiz 0.8: It's a muscle car,Jim,but not as we know it...

With apologies to Star Trekkers (and, to lover's of the 'Chevvy' Corvette), today's report is largely from the Green-Car-Guide :

Chevrolet, a maker of American muscle cars in years gone by, has now gone into the business of cars that are very un-musclular.

The latest Matiz 0.8S is yet another car that will be clogging up the streets of London when the new congestion charge swings into force in October, as it will enter the capital for free with its emissions of just 119g?km of CO2 (subject to a £10 registration fee), which translates into a combined fuel consumption figure of 54.3 mpg. 

Yes,this is the sane emissions figure as a 118d -along with an ever increasing range of other models. The difference is that the Matiz is petrol rather than diesel,so if you have an aversion to diesel but want to drive in London, then this could be the car for you.

Of course, it has benefits for motorists outside the capaital, with Band B road tax classification meaning a Matiz buyer will pay just £35 a year at current rates of tax this year.

The Matiz has a Group 1A insurance and a fixed price servicing package costing £199 for three years/30,000 miles, or £399 for three years/60,000 miles.

All models include central locking, immobiliser ,power steering, tinted glass, a Blaupunkt RDS radio/CD player and body coloured bumpers as standard.

And, it costs just £6,245. So you could buy one of these and a classic Chevrolet Corvette for the same cost as an average new family saloon.

 The place to be in June. See the cars that  will save you money on

• petrol and diesel
• road tax
• company car tax
• running your own fleet
• and reduce your CO2 emissions

For Green-Car-Guide Live!2008 Click Here

It could be a NICE (No Internal Combustion Engine) car time in London with new Mayor Boris Johnson's support

At least that's what the people over at the Nice Electric Car Company are now hoping it will be.

As the owners of the Mega City, they are concerned that the new Mayor will as promised reform the congestion charge in London, but are expecting their  zero emission car to continue to enjoy no charge status and  free parking making it an irresistable proposition for Londoners keen to look for ways to contain their ever increasing motoring costs.

With petrol and diesel costing more than £5 a gallon , meaning for the owner of a medium-sized car doing 35 mpg a cost per mile of about 14p, the NICE people say owners of their own cars pay about 1.5p per mile, or one tenth of that cost - and with zero CO2 emissions, no annual road tax.

The NICE Company will be at the Excel British Motor Show from 23rd July to 3rd August this year to exhibit once again its current models for greener motoring , and to reveal its plans for electric models in many different market segments by the end of the year.

Don't forget you can still register for free admittance to Live!2008 to be held in Liverpool, for one day only,at the Echo Arena on 12th June. For details you can click here for the Green Car Guide

 

Road Tax (VED) benefits of lower emissions will shape price of used cars in future

Thinking ahead when buying your next car could help keep your motoring affordable.In the last Budget Chancellor Alistair Darling laid the latest Treasury delayed action fuse , by announcing new rules for Vehicle Excise Duty to explode into effect next year. You are now looking at more CO2 emission-sensitive rates allocated to 13 Bands, from the current seven, classified from A-M. Starting with Band A for the sub-100g/km emitting cars (at no charge, as before ) through to Band M for the highest polluters above 255 g/km attracting a hefty £440 cost per annum. Where your car falls in the CO2 ranges will therefore determine what you pay, and as your car is one of the heftiest capital cost items for your budget planning well ahead will pay-off.

The seven current Bands for petrol and diesel cars- g/km CO2 range and tax rate-are:

A 100 or less £0
B 101-120 £35
C 121-150 £120
D 151-165 £145
E 166-185 £170
F 186-225 £210
G Over 225 £400

You can expect car guides to be quoting tax bands and rates in future. At low emission cars,we will also be adding the current tax band when quoting a CO2 rating for any particular car featured here. The publishers of the Black Book,CAP, say they have intoduced CO2 figures in the Black Book because they believe VED rates will become as influential on consumer choice as fuel economy and insurance costs. You can look up CAP on their website here.

PS We are not going to able to take our eye of this one! The Treasury suddenly announced (on the 29 April 2008) that it was abolishing an existing VED exemption on higher road tax rates for vehicles emitting more than 225g of CO2 per kilometre registered between March 2001 and March 2006. Clearly, there could be other 'tweaks'- we will never advocate a change merely to raise extra tax in such a stealthy manner from people who made their vehicle choices years ago, when the low emission options did not exist. You will need to watch out over the coming months. We will try to help you achieve affordable and greener motoring.

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.