- Best Green cars to buy
- Top tips for going green
- What's next for green cars?

GREEN motoring has never been higher up the political agenda. With car buyers few and far between, those that are looking for a new vehicle usually want something more fuel and tax efficient.

Best green cars to buy

And it’s not always the planet-hugging abilities that are the draw. With lower fuel bills and, in some cases, free road tax, the benefits of saving the planet can be kind on buyers’ wallets too.

What’s more, manufacturers are being pushed down the eco-route by the government. A recent £2.3bn aid package unveiled by business secretary Lord Mandelson had a £1bn slush fund that could only be accessed to help develop green technologies.

This, and motorists’ changing attitudes, has led to a seismic shift in direction from manufacturers. Most now offer a range directly aimed at those seeking lower fuel bills and reduced CO2 output. Volkswagen’s Bluemotion and Ford’s Econetic models have been very popular, as has Peugeot’s Blue Lion and Renault’s Eco2 initiatives. Even manufacturers once thought of as solely performance specialists have got in on the act, with BMW’s EfficientDynamics programme featuring heavily in the German firm’s range.

Top tips for going green

All follow a similar theme – small capacity diesel engines or fuel-efficient petrol units, clever electrical systems that only draw power when absolutely necessary, aerodynamic bodywork and often stop-start technology.

The latter can help save drastically on fuel. When you’re stuck in traffic, out of gear and have the handbrake on, the engine automatically cuts. When you depress the clutch again the engine restarts reducing fuel wasted while idling.

There’s another option for green buyers, though – hybrids. Combining small petrol engines with an electric unit that boosts output and can even take over at low speeds, these models are becoming more popular. Most recognisable is the Toyota Prius – a new version of which has just been unveiled at the Detroit Motor Show. Japanese rival Honda also unveiled a new version of its hybrid line-up with the Insight, the first of a range of petrol-electric cars from the carmaker.

What's next for green cars?

So what does the future hold for green motoring? Well, completely electric cars are on the horizon. MINI is currently testing its E version on a leasing plan in the United States and by all accounts it’s very good indeed. And buyers can even opt for an electric sportscar in the shape of the Tesla. These cars all currently suffer from a lack of range – the MINI, for example, runs out of charge after 155 miles – but the two-pence-per-mile ‘fuelling’ cost can outweigh this.

Hydrogen technology is next step. The greenest of green fuels was showcased by Honda last year in the FCX Clarity, which is currently available to lease in the US. Fuel cells on board the vehicle convert hydrogen and oxygen into electricity that powers the car - with the only bi-product being water! Many other makers – such as GM, Renault and Mercedes - are also developing hydrogen fuel cells. Cost is prohibitive at the moment, but expect that to change as more manufacturers invest in the technology.