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Green Car GuideGreen Car ReviewsA car might have high miles per gallon and low emissions, but is it any good to drive? We tell you Green Car FeaturesSee our Top 10 green car lists, find out about the latest low carbon vehicle events, and much more Green Car NewsFind out about the latest electric, hybrid, petrol and diesel cars that can save you money |
Electric Car Guide |
The Latest Green Cars, Hybrid Cars and Electric Cars
1 June 2012 by Paul Clarke
Looking for the latest green cars, hybrid cars, or electric cars? Read Green Car Guide's expert summary of the greenest cars, most economical cars, highest mpg cars, and lowest emission cars currently available in the UK in 2012.
Why choose a green car?
• Save money on fuel
• Save money on road tax
• Save money on company car tax
• Save money on London Congestion Charge (<100 g/km CO2 = exempt)
• Help to improve local air quality
• Help to reduce CO2 emissions and their impact on the environment
Which technology/fuel?
Petrol Cars
• Traditionally popular
• Quiet
• Responsive
• Light
• Cheap to build
• Ideal for low mileages
• New ‘downsized’ engines have high NEDC mpg
Example: Nissan Micra DIG-S, 68.9mpg, 95g/km CO2
Diesel Cars
• More economical
• Lower CO2
• Ideal for longer journeys/typical company car drivers
• More expensive to meet Euro emissions regulations (particulates etc)
Example: BMW 520d EfficientDynamics 62.8mpg, 119g/km CO2
Hybrid Cars: Petrol-Electric hybrid cars, Diesel-Electric hybrid cars, and now Plug-in hybrid cars
• Petrol/diesel engine and electric motor powered by battery
• Petrol hybrids especially good for urban use
(& local air quality)
• Energy efficient - regenerative braking etc
• Mpg claims?
• More expensive
• Plug-in hybrids coming – greater electric-only range/low CO2/high mpg
Example: Peugeot 3008 HYbrid4, 74.3mpg, 99g/km CO2
Electric Cars
• Zero tailpipe emissions
• Low running costs
• No company car tax
• No Congestion Charge
• Need to plug in to mains to recharge
• Limited range: <100 miles
• Should be recharged using renewable electricity
• Seen as expensive
• Plug-in Car Grant (up to £5000/25%)
Example: Nissan LEAF, N/A mpg, CO2 potentially zero, £30,990 (less £5,000 PICG)
Extended-range electric vehicles (E-REV)
• Electric vehicle
• Plug in to mains to recharge
• Petrol generator for use if battery depleted
• Low running costs
• No range limitation
• Should be recharged using renewable electricity
• Expensive
• Plug-in Car Grant (up to £5000/25%)
Example: Vauxhall Ampera, 235.4 mpg, 27 g/km CO2, £34,995 (less £5,000 PICG)
The greenest petrol cars, diesel cars, hybrid cars and electric cars you can buy today - a selection
City Cars
Electric Cars
N/A mpg
0 g/km CO2
£6,690 + battery lease
Superminis
Diesel Cars
88.3 mpg
85 g/km CO2
£11,895
Superminis
Petrol-electric hybrid cars
80.7 mpg
79 g/km CO2
£14,995
Small Family Cars
Diesel Cars
Renault Megane dCi 110 Stop & Start
80.7 mpg
90 g/km CO2
£18,800
Small Family Cars
Petrol-electric hybrid cars
74.3 mpg
89 g/km CO2
£20,295
Family Cars
Diesel-electric hybrid cars
74.3 mpg
99 g/km CO2
£27,600
Family Cars
Diesel cars
68.9 mpg
109 g/km CO2
£28,080
Family Cars
Petrol-Electric Hybrid cars
72.4 mpg
89 g/km CO2
£21,560
Executive Cars
Petrol-electric hybrid cars
44.1 mpg
149 g/km CO2
£46,885
Executive Cars
Petrol-electric hybrid cars
40.9 mpg
159 g/km CO2
£46,840
MPVs (7-seaters)
Diesel cars
Renault Grand Scenic 1.5 dCi 110 Start & Stop
68.9 mpg
105 g/km CO2
£21,625
Estate Cars
Diesel cars
Skoda Fabia Estate Greenline II
83.1 mpg
89 g/km CO2
£14,420
4x4s
Diesel-electric hybrid cars
68.9 mpg
107 g/km CO2
£33,695
4x4s
Diesel cars
MINI Countryman Cooper SD ALL4
57.6 mpg
129 g/km CO2
£23,135
4x4s
Diesel cars
Nissan Qashqai 1.6 dCi n-tec+ 4WD
55.4 mpg
135 g/km CO2
£24,595
4x4s
Diesel cars
49.6 mpg
149 g/km CO2
£37,380
Open Top Cars
Diesel cars
85.6 mpg
87 g/km CO2
£12,700
Sports Cars
Diesel cars
62.8 mpg
118 g/km CO2
£22,655
Sports Convertibles
Diesel cars
56.5 mpg
132 g/km CO2
£36,250
Sports Cars
Petrol cars
45 mpg
149 g/km CO2
£29,050
Sports Cars
Petrol cars
39.8 mpg
164 g/km CO2
£26,495
Grand Tourers
Diesel cars
51.4 mpg
145 g/km CO2
£66,745
Vans
Electric vans
N/A mpg
0 g/km CO2 if renewables
£16,990 + VAT
Minus Plug-in Van Grant – up to £8,000 or 20%
The very latest green cars
The lowest emission conventional car
Diesel cars
1.1-litre 3-cylinder diesel
84 g/km CO2
The lowest emission 4x4 in its class
Diesel cars
‘SKYACTIV’ technologies
136 g/km CO2
From £21,395
The lowest emission people-carrier
Petrol-electric hybrid cars
68.9 mpg
96 g/km CO2
From £26,195
The most economical family hatchback
Plug-in petrol-electric hybrid cars
134.5 mpg
49 g/km CO2
< £30,000 after PICG
The most economical Volvo estate ever
Plug-in diesel-electric hybrid cars
150 mpg
49 g/km CO2
£47,000
The best looking electric car?
Extended-range electric vehicles
135 mpg
51 g/km CO2
The game-changing electric car?
Electric cars
N/A mpg
0 g/km CO2 if renewable
130 mile range
£13,650 after PICG
BMW does electric and plug-in hybrid
Electric & plug-in hybrid cars
i3
Electric
i8
3-cylinder turbo petrol plug-in hybrid
94 mpg
0-62 mph 5 seconds
155 mph
The most exciting electric car?
Extended-range electric vehicles
3-cylinder, 1.2-litre range-extender
55 g/km CO2
0-62 mph 4 seconds
300 mile range
Lotus Evora underneath
The biggest surprise ever at Le Mans?
Prototype sports car
Half the weight
Half the drag
Half the power
Half the fuel
Same speed?
For more information see our:
- Paul Clarke
- 1/8/2012
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