The Volkswagen e-up! is the company’s first fully electric production vehicle, with a driving range of 93 miles.

A report issued by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, the SMMT New Car CO₂ Report 2013, shows that 2012 new car emissions improved 3.6% year-on-year to 133.1g/km CO₂ (equivalent to 53.4mpg), down more than 26% since the year 2000.

Audi A1 and A3 1.4-litre TFSI models gain Cylinder-on-Demand technology to switch between two and four-cylinder modes to result in over 60mpg from petrol engines.

A new all-electric Nissan LEAF has been unveiled, with a driving range improved from 109 miles to 124 miles, and both the car and its batteries will be manufactured in the UK.

Land Rover has developed an all-electric Defender which the company says is ‘engineered to deliver zero emissions whilst retaining legendary all-terrain capability’.

The new Nissan Note will have CO2 emissions from 95g/km, with stop-start as standard across the range.

The Audi A3 e-tron petrol/electric hybrid, capable of 188mpg, will be on display at the Geneva Motor Show.

The Peugeot 208 HYbrid FE Concept combines 49g/km CO₂ emissions with a 0 to 62mph time of just 8 seconds.

The Peugeot 2008 HYbrid Air hybrid combines petrol with compressed air and this technology has the potential for achieving 140mpg.

The government has announced that it will provide 75% of the cost of installing new plug-in vehicle charge points at home, on the street, and at railway stations; and also rapid charge points.