finding a green car

the world's worst paintjob

Cars aren't exactly the greenest machines in the world, but it's a fact of life that some of us need them in order to make our lives work better.

As I'm thinking of buying a new car, I thought I'd do some investigations into how green they are. And I thought I'd share some stuff with you, just in case you're looking into buying a car too.

First of all, I asked the people at WorldChanging if they knew of any data. They pointed me towards the website of the Vehicle Certification Agency (VCA). Data available includes new car fuel consumption and exhaust emissions figures.

And then there's this top 20 chart of the greenest carmakers (thanks to Dan for sending this over).

All worth looking at before you book a test drive.

Comments

[Philippe]

Hi Dan

You might want to check the very thourough list by the Swiss NGO called VCS at http://www.vcs-ate.ch/default.cfm?curr_content=030302&curr_navi=030302&CFID=6201417&CFTOKEN=35006402

OK, it is in German, but the car models are probabely called the same in the UK :-)

Cheers, Philippe.

[Chris Green]

Oh my god that car is hideous!

[Liz Brillante]

Hi Dan,

I was also having trouble finding a green car when I came across www.ecofleet.co.uk. They only provide low emission cars, have a great selection and even offset all of the CO2 your car produces during your finance period!

They also have a C02 calculator that works out how many tonnes of CO2 you will produce based on your chosen car and how many miles you do a year. You can even search by emissions!

Can't wait for mine to arrive now.

Hope this helps.

Liz

[diane]

my husband has had a british racing GREEN rover and now has a GREEN vauxhall vectra . does that count???????

[Kate]

We import CDi Smarts, 85 mpg & 90g CO2 emmissions = free road tax so they must be green!

Kate

[David]

Your post have make me something a idea.Thank a lot.