Transport
Test Drive:
The Golf Blue Motion
30th November 2009
Eco has always taken the line that we would not do motor reviews, but we made an exception when the opportunity came to test drive the new Golf Blue Motion. Driven by our own petrol head Sue "Clarkson" Pomeroy.
"The last Golf I drove was a 17 year old estate so the transition to a 59 plated hatchback version is a revelation. First of all everythings works! Electric windows, lights that come on automatically when you open a door or use the central locking in the dark, automatic wipers that come on when it rains, quite a revelation. It is such a helpful car that it feels like you have made a new friend!
Gimmicks aside, the car is a joy to drive, with enough poke to satisfy the petrol-head in me that cannot resist the thrill of a bit of decent acceleration. The engine is a diesel 1.6 but it is quiet and smooth. The seats are comfortable, with a beautifully designed "cockpit", with armrests and switches in just the right place.
The display manages to combine being hi-tech but minimally retro at the same time, and the excellent average mgp computer display is addictive as you challenge yourself to see how high you can get it. A bit of a distraction from watching the road though at times. Also useful is a display which recommends the best gear - it might annoy some drivers, and obviously cannot anticipate the road ahead (yet!), but is a good reminder if the engine is revved unnecessarily.
The other novel feature is the Stop-Start technology, first introdued on some Audis, and now appearing in a few other cars. Essentially, given safe situations, the engine will cut out when the car is stationary, eg. at traffic lights or in jams, if you are in neutral, re-starting instantly if you put the clutch down. The first few times it is a little alarming, but once you get used to it you realise it is a feature that every car should now have to save pollution and money.
The build quality is everything you would expect from VW, solid, well designed and reassuring. The boot catch is the VW logo, a nice touch. The bonnet is hydraulically sprung.
With regards the Blue Motion's claim to be "green", the purists will say there is no such thing as a green car, and they are right. However in the real world most of us face difficult compromises. The Golf Blue Motion is a dream to drive, and promises 107g km/CO2. Not sure if this will always be achieved as it was difficult to approach the 65 mpg promised without coasting down hills in neutral which is not normal driving practice.
However given that few of us will be driving electric vehicles for a few years yet, but often need a safe, reliable family car, the Golf Blue Motions ticks a lot boxes. The new model just announced does even better with the promise of 99g km/CO2 and 74.3 mpg, putting it in the band where no Road Tax is payable, one better than the £35 a year for the model I tested."
The Golf BlueMotion is priced from £17,325, with the five-door model costing an extra £585
Manufacturers chase
fuel efficiency
Eco doesn't really "do" motor reviews, as we would like to see people give up their cars. But in the meantime, back in the real world, some recent moves by the manufacturers show that they are waking up to the new reality of people concerned about the cost of driving on the environment and their wallet.
One of the latest cars to hit the market is the Seat Ibiza Ecomotoive, a diesel which has an average fuel consumption of 74.3 mpg, that's right, you read that correctly, and CO2 emissions of 99g/km. Of course, we'd prefer zero emissions, but Seat have done well. If you are looking into a change of vehicle, well worth considering - price £10,995. Also investigate the Citroen C1, Peugeot 107, and VW Polo Blue Motion. A lot cheaper than a Toyota Prius.
Further reading:
Calculate your car's CO2 and car tax
ETA Green Car Guide
Choosing a greener car
10 Eco Driving Tips
31st August 2008
Tests conducted by Ford have shown that drivers can improve their fuel efficiency by an average of 24% simply by improving their driving technique.
48 drivers who took part in the validation tests saw results ranging from 6 percent fuel economy improvement to more than 50 percent, depending on their driving style and ability to master eco-driving behaviors. Eco-driving instructors coached drivers to employ smoother breaking and accelerating, monitor their RPMs and drive at a moderate speed.
1. Slow down and watch your speed – Drive at 55 miles per hour instead of 65 to save fuel. It is estimated a 10-15 percent improvement in fuel economy can be made by following this tip. Also, aim for a constant speed. Pumping the accelerator sends more fuel into the engine. Using cruise control whenever possible on the highway helps maintain speeds and conserve fuel.
2. Accelerate and brake smoothly –
Accelerating smoothly from a stop and braking softly conserves fuel. Fast starts, weaving in and out of traffic and hard braking wastes fuel and wears out some of the car components, such as brakes and tires, more quickly. Maintain a safe distance between vehicles and anticipate traffic conditions to allow for more time to brake and accelerate gradually.
3. No idling –
Today's engines don't need a warm up. Start the car immediately and gently drive away. Don't leave your car idling. Prolonged idling increases emissions and wastes fuel. Turn the engine off in non-traffic situations, such as at bank and fast food drive-up windows, when idling more than 30 seconds.
4. Check your tires –
Keep tires properly inflated to the recommended tire pressure. This alone can reduce the average amount of fuel use by 3-4 percent. Under-inflated tires increase rolling resistance and reduce fuel economy. They also wear more rapidly. Check the vehicle's door-post sticker for minimum cold tire inflation pressure.
5. Be kind to your vehicle –
Maintain proper engine tune-up to keep vehicles running efficiently. Keep the wheels aligned. Wheels that are fighting each other waste fuel. Replace air filters as recommended. Use a fuel with good detergent additives to keep the vehicle engine clean and performing efficiently. Always consult the Owner's Manual for proper maintenance.
6. Travel light –
Avoid piling a lot of luggage on the roof rack. The added frontal area reduces aerodynamics and will hurt fuel economy, reducing it by as much as 5 percent. Remove excess weight from the vehicle. Unnecessary weight, such as unneeded items in the trunk, makes the engine work harder and consumes more fuel.
7. Minimize use of heater and air conditioning –
Use heating and air conditioning selectively to reduce the load on the engine. Decreasing your usage of the air conditioner when temperatures are above 80 degrees can help you save 10-15 percent of fuel. Use the vent setting as much as possible. Park in the shade to keep car cool and reduce the need for air conditioning.
8. Close windows at high speeds –
Don't drive with the windows open unless your keep your speed under 50 mph. Driving with the windows open at highway speeds increases aerodynamic drag on the vehicle and lowers fuel economy.
9. Choose the right oil –
Use good quality oils with the viscosity grade recommended in the owner guide. Ford recommends SAE 5W-20 oil for most cars and trucks to provide the best fuel economy. Only oils "certified for gasoline engines" by the American Petroleum Institute (API) with the starburst symbol should be used.
10. Consolidate trips –
Plan ahead to consolidate your trips. This will enable you to bypass congested routes, lead to less idling.
The electric bike that is creating a storm
Read a review of the Pro Connect electric bicycle that has been described as being in a class of its own.
Can you fly with a
clean conscience?
As we become more aware of the true cost of flying, more and more people are asking themselves this question, and wanting to know more about carbon offsetting.
Feature on Flying and Carbon Off-setting.
G-Wiz - Going green -
Read about the electric vehicle with no road tax
Electric bikes - Independent 14/6/06
Batteries included- the electric car that can outrun a Ferrari
Emission impossible
Car makers have failed dismally in their aim to reduce emissions.
-Read the full story-
When less means more
If we are to have a future we need to learn to travel less. Unlike housing, where emissions are being reduced by improved insulation, emissions from planes and cars are the fastest growing source of greenhouse gases. Many now regards driving and flying as their right, which is all the more remarkable when you think that we have only been using these modes of transport for around 100 years, the blink of an eye in the world's history. Many normal, nice, apparently well-educated and informed people, have come to regard several foreign holidays a year as a good thing, something they have earned from their hard work. It seems almost rude to point out that their lifestyles are completely unsustainable.
The question to ask is, why do we want to travel so much? Our wanderlust suggests we are deeply unhappy where we are to start with. There would be much less desire to travel if we were surrounded by friends and family, by the services we need. We need to rebuild local communities, to keep families close to each other, and we will save money and the planet in the process. Services need to be available locally, and local produce on sale close to the point of production.
Reducing car and train journeys is an enormous challenge, and we need politicians and celebrities to lead by example. Fuel needs to be rationed by volume rather than by price to be fairer to the poor. Air travel needs to be phased out as completely unsustainable. But above all we need to learn to travel less. When we no longer feel the need to travel we will know we have achieved happier lives.
Guide to greener motoring
The Toyota Prius: a hybrid car
Feature on electric cars
Rising fuel prices have already persuaded some drivers to become more environmentally-friendly now that a litre of fuel costs over £1, with a third (11.5 million) of British motorists cutting back on road journeys over the last 12 months. Some use their cars only for essential journeys while others have increased their use of public transport.
There are many ways you can cut your motoring costs while trying to be greener:
Improve your driving
Driving smoothly helps, as acceleration and braking have a significant effect on fuel consumption. Avoid leaving the engine idling before setting off, and switch off in major traffic jams. Reducing your overall speed also cuts fuel use, especially for long motorway journeys. . Keep your tyres correctly inflated and remove roof racks when no longer needed. Use air-conditioning sparingly to further cut your fuel consumption. Try to cut out the car for short journeys
Car clubs
The organisation Carplus calculates that if you drive less than 6,000 miles in a year, joining a car club could save you between £1,000 and £1,500 a year. Car clubs are usually run by private companies or local councils and allow the short-term hire. The clubs free members up from car maintenance, insurance and tax costs, with the bonus that this "pay-as-you-go" approach reduces unnecessary journeys, and cuts pollution.There is a joining fee of up to £40, a deposit of around £100, hourly charges of up to around £4.50. The fuel charge per mile is around 20p. Once you are a member of a club, you book the time you need, enter a PIN to access the car and then drive off.
City Car Club (08453 301 234 www.citycarclub.co.uk) has cars stationed in reserved parking bays in locations nationwide including Bath, Bristol, Brighton, Litchfield, Huddersfield, Poole and Portsmouth, Edinburgh, and London..
At www.carplus.org.uk you can track down car clubs in your area or check out the guidance it offers on starting your own informal car club.
Share with a friend or make some news ones!
According to the organisation Liftshare, motorists can save up to £1,000 on transport costs every year by car or liftsharing,
Liftsharing can happen informally, where friends, family or neighbours take turns to give each other lifts, or more formally through the increasing number of council run schemes or through online services such as www.liftshare.co.uk, where users register regular or one-off journeys they are about to take and are put in contact with other travellers who are going their way.
Drivers are not permitted to make a profit from providing a lift, but a contribution from passengers can include an appropriate amount towards wear and tear. "Fares" must be decided in advance, and the driver is not permitted to act as a taxi, picking up strangers along the route.
Less polluting standard cars
Friends of the Earth (www.foe.co.uk) have calculated the cost of fuel needed to drive a car 12,000 miles a year and found that for drivers happy with a smaller car, choosing a Citroen C2 rather than a Ford Fiesta could result in a fuel cost saving of £460 a year.
The Vehicle Certification Agency guide (www.vcacarfueldata.org.uk) provides fuel economy and emissions performance of all new cars in the UK.
The guide indicates differences of 45 per cent in the fuel economy of different models using the same fuel within the same size range. If you choose the most fuel-efficient vehicles you could save £900 per year if you drive 20,000 miles a year.
The best-known ecofriendly car, the Toyota Prius, has emissions of 104g a kilometre, which puts it in the second-lowest VED band, with a duty of £40 with petrol-driven cars such as the Peugeot 107, the Toyota Aygo, the Smart city coupé, Daihatsu's Charade and Sirion and the Vauxhall Corsa.
Some small-engine diesel models also qualify for the £40 band. They include the Citroën C2 and C3, the Renault Clio, the Peugeot 206, the Fiat Panda, the Ford Fiesta, the Vauxhall Corsa, the Peugeot 1007 and the Smart forfour.
Hybrid cars
Hybrid vehicles pay reduced car tax and are exempt from the London congestion charge. The Toyota Prius, Honda Insight and Honda Civic IMA, combine a petrol engine and an electric motor powered by an energy storage device such as a battery pack.
All hybrids use regenerative braking, whereby energy is returned to the battery when braking, improving energy efficiency and reducing brake wear. According to the Energy Saving Trust, running costs are two thirds that of equivalent petrol fuelled vehicles, and although they cost around £2,000 more than conventional cars. hybrids improve fuel efficiency and therefore save money as fuel costs are rising.
Electric cars
Electric cars are generally limited to a range of about 60 miles or less between recharges, making them best suited to city driving. Most can be recharged by plugging them into an existing electrical socket and some councils are installing electric recharging points in car parks or on-street.
According to the Energy Saving Trust (www.est.org.uk 020 7222 0101), electric cars can cost £5,500 more than conventional vehicles, but they can cost as little as 1p a mile to run. Electric cars are not subject to road tax and do not have to pay the London congestion charge. Some areas that have residential parking permits also may give a discount to owners of electric vehicles.
Electric cars use a battery and electric motor to power the vehiclemeaning they have no emissions at the point of use, although critics will point out that the emissions are just shifted to the power station which is likely to be run on nuclear power or fossil fuels.
The G-Wiz model (www.goinggreen.co.uk) claims to consume just one quarter of the energy of a similar sized petrol car. The makers say it costs around £1.64 a day to run, equivalent to around 600 miles per gallon. The list price is around £8,000.
Link to more features on green motoring:
Choosing a greener car
Green travel
Visit The Green Network
|
 |
| |
Whip into shape
What is WhipCar?
WhipCar is the first service in the world where a car owner can rent out their vehicle for money, whenever they are not using it. WhipCar pairs sensible drivers with spare car time. They automatically screen all cars joining the service and all drivers booking cars (see Am I eligible). WhipCar automatically protects all rentals made through the service with the only insurance policy of its kind in the world. In the unlikely event of an accident, a WhipCar Owner's existing insurance is not affected. See how it works here.
If you need a car...
Whether you want to use a neighbour's car for your weekly shop or you need a car to run away for the weekend - WhipCar should always be the closest and most convenient option available. There are no hidden costs and you only pay for the time you use. Find a car in your area here.
If you own a car...
WhipCar enables you to put your car to work. Make your car available to friends and family only, or to all your neighbours. You get to accept or decline every booking and make money whenever you are not using your car. Add your car here.
Eligibility
Car owners (membership is free!)
If you own a car you can use WhipCar to make money whenever you are not using it.
For your vehicle to be eligible it needs to:
- be a car (no vans or motorbikes at the moment)
- be no more than 8 years old
- have a valid MOT and road tax
- have existing insurance (this wont be affected in the event of damage - so your no claims bonus is safe)
- meet WhipCar's Vehicle Eligibility Requirements and be suitable for use (safe to drive, in good condition and clean)
You can add your car to WhipCar here. It is free and only takes two minutes.
Please note: While millions of UK cars qualify for WhipCar, they are currently unable to offer the service to cars in the highest insurance groups (15-20). If you meet the criteria above but still receive an "ineligible" message this may be why. They aim to expand elibility criteria in the future and will contact you directly when your vehicle becomes eligible for the service in the future.
Drivers (free to use - no membership fees)
Before you can place your first booking WhipCar will check with the DVLA that you:
- are at least 21 years old of age (and no more than 70 years old)
- have held a full UK driving license (not provisional) for a minimum of 12 months
- have no more than 6 penalty points on your driving license
- have had no drink driving convictions in the last 5 years
- have no convictions relating to driving without insurance
- have had no more than two accidents in the past 3 years
You can join WhipCar here. It is free and only takes two minutes.
Rental prices (RPG)
On WhipCar owners set their own price. Their Rental Price Guidance™ (RPG) Tool offers recommended rental prices for any car added - based on make and model and on where the car is located. You can find out what your car is worth here.
RPG represents a competitive cost for a comparable rental but should serve as a guide only and WhipCar Owners have absolute discretion to charge as they deem appropriate.
Welcome to WhipCar
At WhipCar you can find cars available to rent right outside your door. If you already own a car you can use WhipCar to make money whenever it's not being used. WhipCar is free to join and they take care of all the hassle like insurance, breakdown cover and payments.
WhipCar booking procedure
How it works (a step by step guide)
You can watch a video of how WhipCar works here.
Car Insurance Options for Green Cars
Read our exclusive guide to choosing a greener car
Transport revolution 'vital'
Campaign group "Clean Air Now" is calling for people to support Greater Manchester's plans for a £3 billion public transport revolution and limited congestion charge following new evidence that links traffic pollutionto an increased risk of heart attacks.
The North West has the highest rates of heart disease in England and Wales and Greater Manchester has the highest of all within the region.
Now a new study by Harvard University shows that shows air pollution - from traffic - hinders the heart's ability to conduct electrical signals, increasing the risk of heart attacks.
The Harvard study found that exposure to small particulates - tiny
chemicals caused by burning fossil fuels - caused worrying changes on the heart traces of 48 heart patients. The electrocardiograms of the patients studied (who had recently been hospitalised for heart attack, unstable angina or worsening symptoms of coronary heart disease) showed unusual changes, called ST-segment depression, characteristic of poor oxygen supply to the heart.
Harvard's new study adds to mounting reports all showing particulate pollution increases heart attack risk. The evidence suggests air pollution - specifically caused by traffic - primes a reduction in average life expectancy and raises stress levels and the likelihood of respiratory and cardiac diseases.
According to the World Health Organization, air pollution accounts for three million deaths worldwide every year. Small wonder then that the whole world is looking trying to solve enduring problems such as traffic-related pollution:
- Germany's National Research Centre for Environment and Health
recently found that people caught in traffic jams are three times more likely to have a heart attack in the first hour than those who are not stuck in traffic.
- Scientists at Kaoshiung Medical University, Taiwan recently found higher hospital admission rates in cities where pollution is high.
- A study by University of Naples found that fumes from cars and other vehicles can lead to male fertility damage.
In the light of the new Harvard study, and the mounting evidence from around the world, CAN's call for a Yes vote in Greater Manchester's referendum on public transport / congestion – 11 December 2008 – is louder than ever.
Dr Graeme Sherriff of the Clean Air Now coalition said "The transport improvements that would be delivered by a successful TIF bid would provide a real opportunity to reduce traffic pollution in Greater Manchester. As this study shows, cities need to take action to reduce air pollution and improve air quality."
Further information:
http://www.cleanairnow.co.uk
Clean Air Now is a coalition campaigning for a sustainable transport system that delivers: clean air, safe streets and a better quality of life for the people of Greater Manchester, now and in the future. It is made up of a range of public interest, environmental and transport groups from across Greater Manchester. It supports the Greater Manchester bid into the Transport Innovation Fund and the proposed congestion charge for the City.
Useful transport links:
http://www.eta.co.uk/ - site of the Environmental Transport Association - ETA
The Department for Transport - UK Government site
http://www.tourismconcern.org.uk - for the ethical tourist
http://www.fco.gov.uk/travel -general travel advice from the Foreign Office before you go abroad.
http://www.travelhealth.co.uk - a good site with general health advice
http://www.nationalrail.co.uk - national rail enquiries
Electric bicycles
http://www.mylinkspage.com/roadrage.html - anti-car site
Sustainable Transport.org.uk - Campaigning to increase awareness of the environmental impacts of current transportation modes and to promote more sustainable alternatives
Transform Scotland.org.uk - The campaign for sustainable transport
/
DFT: Department for Transport
Manage
Energy.net/conference/transport0602.html
G.A.I.A – The Green Advice and Information Agency (G.A.I.A)
London Congestion Charging Links
Road Rage
Sustrans.org.uk Sustainable transport charity working on practical projects to encourage people to walk, cycle and use public transport
EERE.energy.gov/RE/hydrogen fuel cells- US Department of energy - hydrogen fuel cells explained
Fuel Economy.gov/feg/fuel cell US Dept of Energy - Fuels cells, benefits and how they work
FuelCellWorld.org World Fuel Cell Council
Fuel Cell Today.com Portals for companies and individuals with an interest in the commercialisation of fuel cells
Biofuels for Sustainable Transport
PTI.org.uk UK Public Transportation Information
AirQuality.co.uk UK National Air Quality Information ArchiveChooseClimate.org/flying The true cost of air travel
Clean Car Campaign.org US campaign promoting a clean revolution in the motor vehicle industry
Geener motoring fuels -
www.est-powershift.org.uk - advice on how to convert to liquid petroleum gas (LPG) including where you can fill up, and grants for conversion. See also www.lpga.co.uk - he site of the LPG Association
www.toyota.co.uk/prius - the Prius is the most successful hybrid petrol/electric car favoured by some celebrities
www.evuk.co.uk - lots of information on electric vehicles
Transport Jobs
www.environmentjob.co.uk
www.amber-jobs.co.uk
www.tfl.gov.uk/tfl
Visit The Green Network
Guide to the greenest cars available in Britain
The Honda Civic 1.4 IMA Executive is the greenest car on Britain’s roads for the second year running, according to the Environmental Transport Association’s Car Buyers’ Guide 2006. The Guide, which highlights the best and the worst cars in terms of their impact on the environment, is published today on line at www.eta.co.uk by the Environmental Transport Association (ETA), the ethical alternative breakdown service.
Honda’s environmentally superior hybrid car offers a practical and stylish solution for those wanting to avoid the congestion charge and help the atmosphere with lower carbon emissions. Next, the Toyota Prius 1.5 Hybrid is the most efficient mass produced car on the market, says the ETA, with 66 mpg and CO2 emissions making it the lowest of all cars at only 104g/km.
The ETA’s Car Buyers’ Guide is an easy way to assess all the cars in Britain for their green credentials, an invaluable source for car purchasing, highlighting the winners in each category. If an off-road/SUV is a lifestyle choice then buyers can be reassured that the Honda CRV-2.2 i-CTDi Sport is the greenest choice and prestige marques with a good environmental rating include the Jaguar X-Type, winner of the Luxury Car Category and the Mercedes-Benz A-Class A160 CDI which tops the Small MPV Category. Sporty drivers may choose the Vauxhall Tigra 1.3 DDTi 16v 2 door convertible as it ranks as the most environmentally friendly car in its class.
The Guide also highlight’s the worst offenders in terms of damage to the environment. Top of the worst list for emissions – again for the second year running is the Lamborghini Diablo. This is closely followed by the Bentley Arnage R and two Aston Martin models: the Vanquish V12 and the DB9. The majority of the least green vehicles on the bottom of the list pack a mean environmental punch with vast engines. Vehicles like these can produce up to five times the amount of climate change gases as the Toyota Prius. Driving the Lamborghini* is the equivalent of cutting down three fully grown oak trees every day!
Surprises at the bottom of the list include the poorest performing Supermini: the Renault Clio Renaultsport V6 255, the worst City Car: Ford Street Ka 1.6i, and the worst Executive Car: the Volkswagen Passat W8 (275 PS).
“Although what car we drive continues to define us in terms of style and status, we must acknowledge the fact that our use of transport is the fastest growing cause of climate change,” explains Andrew Davis, director of the ETA. “Car emissions have a direct impact on the environment and climate change remains the number one threat to this country, over and above terrorism.
“As the provider of Britain’s only climate neutral automotive breakdown service, the ETA considers helping people to choose which car to drive as one of its most important objectives. The Car Buyers’ Guide provides an essential shortlist to help you choose the car that suits both your lifestyle and your conscience. Cleaner motoring advice is just a click away with the ETA.”
For the complete Car Buyers’ Guide visit www.eta.co.uk.
* Lamborghini Diablo = 520g/km CO2 and 16,000m a year travelled.
A fully grown tree absorbs 13kg of CO2 a year.
Link to more features on green motoring:
Feature on electric cars
Choosing a greener car
Green travel
- Walk or cycle where possible or use public transport.
- Lighten your load to reduce the amount of energy required to move it.
- Keep your speed down to reduce fuel consumption.
- Drive smoothly, avoiding sudden braking and sharp acceleration.
- Turn off the engine if you’re likely to be stationary for a minute or more.
- Remove roof-racks when they’re not in use.
- Make sure your tyres are properly inflated.
- Car share to reduce the number of vehicles on the road.
Links
Vehicle Certification Agency. Official fuel consumption and CO2 figures for all new cars. CO2 is proportional to consumption, but the relationship is slightly different for diesel as for petrol.
Clean Green Cars. A handy guide to green car jargon and technology appears on the (altogether useful) Clean Green Cars website. Click on each phrase for a deeper examination.
GetMeThere.co.uk This site has route planning taking into account mpg-sapping traffic jams. You can also get updates to your mobile as you go. It’s free, but sponsored by Toyota
TreeHugger. Proper Tire Pressure for Better Mileage
Did you know?
- Idling for more than ten seconds uses more fuel and creates more pollution than simply restarting your engine
- Car traffic is predicted to increase by 22 per cent by 2010 from the current levels of 321 billion vehicle kilometres (per year) if no action is taken.
- Seven out of ten journeys to work are by car.
Boost for eco-friendly vehicles
Data compiled by motor insurance company More Than has shown a dramatic increase in the popularity of eco-friendly vehicles. The research found that registrations of hybrid vehicles in 2005 were up by 74 per cent from 2004 levels.
Other findings suggest that one-in-six motorists in the UK would consider trading in their car for an electric or hybrid model if fuel prices continue to increase and that a billion hybrid vehicles would be running within 15 years. More Than's heads of motor insurance, David Pitt, welcomed the increasing popularity of 'green' cars.
"Given the growing concern about global warming it's encouraging that so many motorists are considering changing their driving habits....As awareness increases, I am sure we will see more innovation from the motoring industry, as well as incentives from the government to encourage motorists to become more eco-friendly."
More Than's research reflects the increasing visibility of environmentally friendly vehicles at expositions such as the Geneva Motor Show. Toyota will use the show, which runs from February 28th, to debut its updated Prius hybrid, while Citroen will be in Geneva to show off its C4 Hybride HDi. Hybrid cars are partly powered by
electric motors that recycle kinetic energy, leading to lower fuel consumption and reduced CO2 emissions.
Feature on electric cars
Edinburgh to miss
pollution targets
Edinburgh faces an air-pollution time bomb due to a lack of progress made with road toll plans and emission cuts, a leading environmental expert has warned.
The rejection a year ago of £2 road tolls is said to be a major reason for why the city will not meet emissions and air quality targets set for 2010. With such EU targets becoming mandatory at this time, the council and – by extension – taxpayers will feel the sting financially if nothing is done.
Seven particular areas in the city have been named as particular pollution "hotspots", where nitrogen dioxide emissions from vehicles severely exceed imposed targets. It is thought that the road tolls would have seen harmful emissions slashed in volume by around 20 per cent. Dr David Stevenson of Edinburgh University's School of Geosciences comments:
"There is no other way of significantly reducing traffic volume, apart from congestion charging or low-emission zones. The air-quality legislation is there for a reason, and that is because air pollution kills. Councils will start to get hefty fines if they exceed the standards. There is no easy way to tackle this, but a low-emission zone will work. Dirty cars should not be allowed [in these areas] and work needs to be done to improve the emissions from the public transport fleet."
The council said that there are no current plans for the suggested low-emissions zones, with transport leader Andrew Burns stating: "We are not anywhere near declaring a low-emission zone. Edinburgh has got good air quality compared to other British cities, and problems in the city are in very localised areas. I would be lying to say we can definitely meet the nitrogen dioxide targets, but what we can do is get closer to meeting them."
Source - ETA
London taxi firm
buys hybrid vehicles
It was comments from passengers that encouraged London’s longest-established private hire and courier service to start using Toyota Prius cars - and by this summer Greater London Hire should have 32 of the petrol-electric hybrids on its fleet.
The latest batch of 12 Prius with green flashes recently joined the 17 cars already on the fleet, a third of which GLH aims to have "greened" in the near future. The passenger car service that GLH started nearly 40 years ago was one of the first in central London. Today, the Finchley-based company operates a fleet of 300 saloon, estate, MPV and executive cars, light vans and motorcycles around the clock, with 20-minute central pick-up and UK-wide parcel delivery among the services it offers.
GLH’s cars and motorbikes are exempt from congestion-charging, so this, for once, was not an incentive for a London fleet to switch to Prius. Instead the move was prompted by a customer survey that indicated a desire for a car that was different, and environmentally sound. With the current-generation Toyota Prius relatively new on the market, GLH took on five cars for a six-week evaluation period - and its staff were as impressed as their customers. "The comments were on the whole very positive," says GLH’s Operations Manager Dan Gurney. As a result the company ordered 12 more of the hybrids, the first Toyotas to join the GLH fleet and also its first alternative-fuelled vehicles. They replaced mainly Rover 75s and VW Passats.
The company now has a separate tariff for its Prius fleet, along with special "E for Eco" call-signs for each driver. "The drivers love the cars," says Mr Gurney. "Using the Prius saves them on average £30 or £40 a week on fuel - they’re self-employed contractors and sign a lease agreement under which we look after the maintenance. They also find driving the cars less stressful.
|