The BVRLA (British Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association) has commented that many business fleets are focussing their efforts on reducing their fuel costs and CO2 emissions. The BVRLA’s members operate around 1.6 million cars and they have found that the average CO2 emissions of vehicles, brought on fleet in 2009,  fell to 144g/km. The trend is clearly towards driving low CO2 cars and fuel efficient vehicles.

The reduction on business car fleets outstrips those seen across all new car registrations, as reported by the SMMT, which recently published an average figure of 149.5g/km. John Lewis, BVRLA chief executive said,”Our members continue to lead the way in lowering road transport emissions and disproving the myth that company cars are gas guzzlers. The government’s emission based-tax regime has given fleets and their drivers a great incentive to drive cleaner cars and the message is clearly getting through”.

Vehicle Leasing companies also reported a 2% drop in the average contract mileage for cars added to fleets in 2009, down to 19,183 from the 19,617 seen in 2008.

The green motoring website, cleangreencars.co.uk, has reported that the average CO2 of all new cars, registered in 2009, fell by 5.6% to 149.8g/km. This is a record 8.9g/km less than a year ago and continues the trend of falling CO2 emissions year on year.

There are now two manufacturers (whose range includes four seat models and not just two seat city cars) who have now met the EU 2012 target of producing all cars with an average CO2 of 130g/km. Both Toyota and (127.9g/km) and Fiat (129.7g/km) are leading the way with MINI in third at 131.7g/km. Hyundai also gets a mention in fourth place and Ford saved over 30,000 tonnes of CO2 in 2009.

Finding all available new production low CO2 cars at one source is always a chore, however try the Super Shopper where you can choose all manufacturers and set the CO2 ranges you are looking for. All models currently available will then be shown. 

The full report from cleangreencars.co.uk can be found at;

www.cleangreencars.co.uk/jsp/cgcmain.jsp?lnk=370

One of the major motoring trends from the September Frankfurt Motor Show has been the growth of Stop-Start technology in cars. There were about 20 cars fitted with VARTA batteries by Johnson Controls and they have reported that nearly a quarter of them featured an AGM battery to power this new fuel saving technology.

A Start-Stop system conserves energy by shutting off the engine whenever the cars stops, such as at traffic lights. EU targets to drive down car and van CO2 emission levels has also accelerated the micro-hybrid market encouraging manufacturers to produce smaller, lighter, more fuel efficient models. 

According to a recent survey by Capgemini, 61% of consumers either currently own or plan to make their next car purchase a more fuel-efficient vehicle, and suggests that CO2 emissions will become more important in car buying decisions. The recent Pre-Budget Report this week also gave a clear indication that the Government is determined to drive down car and van CO2 emissions using the tax system.

Choosing a low CO2, fuel efficient vehicle is important if you are looking to reduce your costs in the future. The new Super Shopper on the site allows you to select the body type of vehicle that you are looking for and also to set ranges of CO2 and combined mpg so you can choose the right vehicle for you.

ACFO, the body that represents UK fleet operators, has commented on Alastair Darling’s Pre-Budget report.

“With powerful tax incentives for take-up of electric cars and vans from April next year, and the confirmation of further tightening of company car BIK from April 2012, the Chancellor is driving fleets and company car and van drivers ever further along the “green” route”.

ACFO went onto say,”Fleet decision-makers and drivers who continue to fail to heed these warnings will not only see their tax bills rise but they will also see their fuel bills soar as fuel costs increase”.

If you are looking for your next company car it is important to choose a low CO2 car or van to ensure you are not penalised in the future.

Citroen C3

Citroen has released the details of their new B-segment car, the Citroen C3 setting a new benchmark in this sector. The new C3 has a panoramic Zenith windscreen offering you a vast and flowing glass area that “lights up” the car inside.

The new C3 is  a low CO2 car, with the Special Edition Airdream+ model offering only 99g/km emissions. There are four petrol power-plants plus three diesel units available thereby offering a choice for all. Three core trim levels will be available – VT, VTR+ and Exclusive along with the Airdream+ model above. The car will be on sale in January 2010 and Citroen contract hire leasing prices will on the site shortly.

Ford supports BP

Ford is supporting BP’s Fuel Efficiency Challenge in the UK with the frugal Ford Focus ECOnetic which is capable of 65.7 mpg and can cut motorists’ fuel bills by up to a quarter.That goal is also the aim of the BP Ultimate experts who are running the event over the UK during July and August.

The Ford Focus ECOnetic models being driven in BP’s Efficient Driving Challenge have also been fitted with special equipment to analyse driving styles. Ford product manager David Calder said, “The Ford Focus pioneered the ECOnetic philosophy that environmental efficiency, desirable looks and class leading dynamics are compatible in a single car.”

The Ford Focus ECOnetic emits only 114g/km as well and add this to the Fiesta ECOnetic at 98g/km, Ford is certainly offering extremely low CO2 cars.

Zenith windscreen

Citroen has released the details of their new  re-designed C3 which has sold over 2 million units worldwide. The new car, which is arriving in the UK in early 2010, gets a much sportier edge and tauter profile with a robust appearance to match.

The new Zenith windscreen flows up dramatically over the heads of the front seat occupants and offers a panoramic field of vision. This unique windscreen also creates a much brighter cabin environment improving visibility, road safety, driving pleasure and offers a general feeling of openness.

New Citroen C3

Inside Citroen has also paid great attention to detail using high quality materials, enhanced sound insulation and a pleasant fragrance from the car’s integrated air freshener. Add to this great technology with USB, iPod, Bluetooth functionality and also the option of Citroen’s “MyWay” satellite and Hifi system and the car looks to have everything you will need.

From launch an HDI 90 powered version will be available emitting only 99g/km CO2 which is the first sub 100g/km full production car Citroen has manufactured. New power plants will come on board in 2011 incorporating second-generation Stop & Start technology and Citroen is promising new diesel technology emitting as little as 90g/km. The new third generation petrol technology is also offering low CO2 emissions at less than 100g/km as well and Citroen looks committed to offer low CO2 cars in the future.

Colt CZ2 ClearTec

Mitsubishi has released the first images of its new Colt ClearTec car which is going to be specially wrapped for its outing at this year’s Revolve Eco-Rally on Monday the 8th June 2009. The new Colt CZ2 ClearTec offers reduced CO2 emissions by 24g/km to 119g/km (over the regular CZ2) and promises 65.7 MPG on the extra-urban mode cycle.

This new petrol engine Colt shows that small diesel cars are not the only option for “low CO2 green conscious drivers”, especially when fuel prices are nearing a 10p differential between petrol and diesel costs. The full-wrap vehicle has been designed to enhance the funky design of the new Colt and emphasises that Mitsubishi’s ClearTec environmental technologies are making great strides on CO2 emissions reduction.

The Revolve Eco-Rally leaves Brighton’s Palace Pier at 10.00 A.M. on Monday the 8th June 2009 and arrives at London City Hall at 2.45 P.M.

Citroen C1 evie

Green Motion, the world’s first low CO2 car and van hire company has announced that it intends to stock the new Citroen C1 ev’ie all-electric car within its fleet. The Citroen C1 ev’ie was launched this week at the Lancaster hotel in Hyde Park, London W1 and offers 100% emission free motoring.

Based on a traditional C1 chassis this all-electric car has a top speed of 60 mph with a range of between 60 and 75 miles on a full charge. This is the first car to offer a four seat carrying capacity yet still maintains its original safety features like driver and passenger airbags, ABS and full front and side crumple zones.

Green Motion  will initially place the cars at London, Leeds and Manchester. They also have eleven operations nationally and will roll out the model in due course to all of them.  They specialise in hiring out low emission vehicles like Volkswagen (Bluemotion), Toyota (Prius Hybrid), Honda (Civic Hybrid and Insight Hybrid) and Ford (Econetic) amongst others.

The New Citroen C3 Picasso offers class leading space.

The new Citroen C3 Picasso goes on sale on the 9th April. It is available in two petrol units, the VTi 95 and VTi 120 and two HDi diesels, HDi 90 and HDi 110 DPFS offering low fuel consumption and low CO2 emissions.

The internal space is really plentiful , even in the back and with the largest glazed area in the segment ( up to 4.52 square metres) the cabin is bright and spacious.

The lowest CO2 model is the 1.6 HDI diesel VTR+/EXC which has not only a 125 CO2 g/km figure  but also a combined mpg of 60.1. All the range however are below the 160 g/km tax threshold. The new car comes in eight body colours and four upholstery colours with a choice of alloy wheels.

The entry level model offers generous levels of standard equipment including MP3-compatible CD player with steering wheel mounted controls, electrically adjustable door mirrors,front electric windows and a trip computer.

The Citroen C3 Picasso is stylish, practical, spacious and bright offering the advantages of a MPV with the comfort and feel of a hatchback. Further information is available at www.citroen.co.uk