Green machines take centre stage at motor show
Green machines take centre stage at motor show
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Thursday, 20, Jul 2006 04:13
Thousands have flocked to the opening day of the British International Motor Show (BIMS) at London's ExCel Centre today, with environmental issues top of the agenda.
After 30 years away from London, the show has returned and, although essentially a demonstration of all things car related, the BIMS has an unofficial theme this year, with a large number of auto makers focusing on environmental issues.
With recent advances in biofuels and much being made of the negative effect cars are having on the planet, the BIMS 2006 is seen by many as the perfect stage to launch the latest eco-friendly technologies.
One car on display and proving its credentials as a green vehicle is the new Ford Focus Coupe-Cabriolet Flexible Fuel Vehicle.
The car can run on either petrol or bio-ethanol in any mix in the same tank and is being touted as proof that style does not have to suffer at the hands of cleaner, green motoring.
Researchers at Imperial College in London have conducted tests which show the Flexible Fuel Vehicle's (FFV's) emissions are lower than that of a hybrid vehicle.
The 1.8-litre FFV emits 169g CO2/km, but when CO2 absorption by the crops used to make bio-ethanol is taken into account that figure drops to just 99.6g CO2/km.
"Biofuels generally, and bioethanol particularly, could provide a major contribution to reducing greenhouse gas emissions from transport," says Dr Jeremy Woods from Imperial's centre for environmental policy.
"I welcome Ford's lead in this area and trust the government policies will encourage greater use of biofuels and the purchase of vehicles operating within high biofuel blends."
Environmental awareness seems to be running through the industry at present, with many makers launching their own eco-friendly cars and the general attitude among drivers shifting towards limiting the amount of damage being done to the planet.
The Motor Trader environment award was presented in the build up to the BIMS, with the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) being honoured for the work it has done in the last year.
Specifically the SMMT was awarded for the introduction of its 'new car green label', which gives buyers a clear indication of a vehicle's CO2 emissions, using a green to red colour scale.
Simon Barnes, SMMT's environment manager said: "The introduction of the label was a voluntary measure taken by the industry to give buyers more information about the green credentials of their vehicles.
"But crucially, it also includes figures for annual running costs. That helps tie the message that low carbon and low cost motoring go hand in hand," he added.