If the Liberal Democrats have their way all petrol cars will be banned by 2040. The radical proposals were announced today by party leader Sir Menzies Campbell, and environment spokesman Chris Huhne as part of a scheme to make the Britain carbon neutral by 2050. Mr Huhne wants to see hydrogen fuel cell powered cars and predicts there will be other new technologies which will replace petrol engines. He compared the changes to the move from steam to internal combustion engines at the start of the 20th century. Their ten point plan also commits to 100% non nuclear, carbon-free generation by 2050, and a green tax aimed specifically on those who pollute the most.
If you’re buying a new car, find the most environmentally friendly one on the Government’s Act on CO2 website. It has the top 10 'Best on CO2' car rankings for each class, a system compiled in association with What Car? Magazine. Just type in the car you’re after, transmission and fuel type and you’ll be given a list of the lowest CO2 emitting models.
Steve Fowler, Editor of What Car? said:
“These car rankings are exactly what consumers need to make an informed choice about the type of car to buy in order to minimise their fuel consumption, save money and help tackle climate change. Car buyers are making increasingly difficult choices about the cars they buy and these rankings will help them to include environmental factors when making that vital decision.”
This strange Armadillo-like creature is the latest in solar-powered motoring technology: it's a motorcycle encased in 25 square feet of solar panels from Spanish manufacturer Sunred.
Sadly, you won't see anyone driving the bike around in this excitingly futuristic configuration, as it is designed to charge with the 'shell' down while parked. Once full of solar energy, the bike has a 12 mile range and a top speed of, er, 30 miles an hour. Not exactly a mean machine, then.
The electric motor is stuck right inside the rear axle, saving on transmission friction, and SunRed hopes to start making a working prototype soon. As soon as loads of venture capital companies read all the web coverage this prototype picture has got and bung them over a few million quid. Then maybe they can make it go a bit faster!
For peripatetic females, who are pondering their next backpacking trip or simply heading off on their hols, Girlstravelclub.co.uk (GTC) is a valuable resource. This new online boutique for female travellers specializes in beautifully designed and carefully selected travel essentials, particularly fair trade, recycled, environmentally responsible and ethically produced goods. If you choose to venture onto this site you will find useful goodies such as: DEET free insect repellents, natural remedies and essential oils, organic personal care products (including essential sun protection lotions), hemp travel bags, vintage wash bags and much more.
Until now, a major drawback of electric cars has been their smallness: they include the famously diminutive Smart car (an electric version was recently launched); the G-Wiz, which is so tiny it failed routine safety tests; and the original two-seater NICE Mega city car. All great if what you want is a miniature run-around to transport you and your briefcase to and from work, but not so great if you have a family to move from A to B.
Jeremy Clarkson hated it, the Green Car Guide loved it - Toyota's hybrid electric car is top of the list when it comes to finding a green car. With only £15 road tax a year and no congestion charge Toyota claim it will save you fortunes on fuel and save the world with its low CO2 emissions. Watch our 'Hippy Gear' video review to find out if the Toyota Prius is the answer to our green motoring dreams.
MPs are urging the government to offer financial incentives to companies who choose to move their freight by water, instead of by road or rail. According to the environment, food and rural affairs select committee CO2 emissions from inland and coastal shipping are 80% lower than road haulage, but unfortunately only 1% of UK freight is transported this way. In 2000 British Waterways had promised to double the amount of goods carried on rivers and canals by 2010, but at the halfway point in 2005 figures had actually dropped from 4.3m tonnes to 3.4m tonnes. The general consensus is that this form of haulage is uneconomical, therefore incentives from the government would be one way to turn this around.
If the Liberal Democrats have their way all petrol cars will be banned by 2040. The radical proposals were announced today by party leader Sir Menzies Campbell, and environment spokesman Chris Huhne as part of a scheme to make the Britain carbon neutral by 2050. Mr Huhne wants to see hydrogen fuel cell powered cars and predicts there will be other new technologies which will replace petrol engines. He compared the changes to the move from steam to internal combustion engines at the start of the 20th century. Their ten point plan also commits to 100% non nuclear, carbon-free generation by 2050, and a green tax aimed specifically on those who pollute the most. 
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This strange Armadillo-like creature is the latest in solar-powered motoring technology: it's a motorcycle encased in 25 square feet of solar panels from Spanish manufacturer 
For peripatetic females, who are pondering their next backpacking trip or simply heading off on their hols, 
Until now, a major drawback of electric cars has been their smallness: they include the famously diminutive Smart car (an electric version was recently launched); the G-Wiz, which is so tiny it failed routine safety tests; and the 
MPs are urging the government to offer financial incentives to companies who choose to move their freight by water, instead of by road or rail. According to the environment, food and rural affairs select committee CO2 emissions from inland and coastal shipping are 80% lower than road haulage, but unfortunately only 1% of UK freight is transported this way. In 2000 British Waterways had promised to double the amount of goods carried on rivers and canals by 2010, but at the halfway point in 2005 figures had actually dropped from 4.3m tonnes to 3.4m tonnes. The general consensus is that this form of haulage is uneconomical, therefore incentives from the government would be one way to turn this around. 
