Study highlights the 'greenest' cars

IF you have been thinking about buying a new car and have one eye on the environment then a new study may help you decide on which motor to pick up.

Research by L’Agence de l’Environnement et de la Maîtrise de l’Energie (Ademe) has found that nearly half of new cars sold in France last year emitted less than 140g CO2/km.

And they said that three cars, the Smart ForTwo, Seat Ibiza Ecomotive and Volkswagen Polo Bluemotion, produced less than 100g CO2/km, each one ran on diesel.

Buyers of these cars would benefit from a payment of €1,000 from the government following the launch of a scheme in January to promote the purchase of low emission cars, and penalise gas guzzlers (see Penalties on new gas-guzzling cars introduced).

The best performing French manufactured vehicles were the Peugeot 107 and the Citroen C1 with both diesel and petrol versions producing 109g CO2/km, these cars would receive a bonus of €700 when bought new.

And the worst performing cars from the study? For diesel vehicles that dubious honour rests with the Volkswagen Touareg V10, which emits 333g CO2/km, but this is nothing compared to the Lamborghini Diablo that was found to pump out 575g CO2/km.

Download Ademe study into car pollution (.pdf)