Work out how green you are

The automotive industry has come in for more criticism than most for its part in the environmental crisis. We'll all have our opinions on whether it is actually the major culprit of the planet's woes or just a soft and easily taxable target but what's not in doubt is that car manufacturers have risen to the green challenge.

Almost without exception, the major car brands have grasped the vehicle emissions nettle and are offering vehicles that are massively greener than equivalent models of just five years ago.

Some brands have pioneered hybrid powertrains using batteries and electric motors to reduce the burden on a car's conventional engine. Others have developed highly efficient small diesel and petrol engines which offer startlingly low emissions and fuel consumption.

Motorists can now choose cars with special modifications designed to improve environmental performance. The car makers have shown just how much can be achieved with low rolling resistance tyres, weight saving modifications and tweaks to a vehicle's aero dynamics. There's also Stop/Start technology that shuts the vehicle's engine down when it's stationary and consumers have the option of buying vehicles capable of running on renewable fuels like biodiesel and E85 bioethanol.

The global car industry has done a huge amount to make greener vehicles available to the public right now and it will do much more in the future. Now it's up to us to make the right choices.

GREEN CREDENTIALS - THE ESSENTIALS

1. Carbon calculators
2. What emissions does you existing car or new car produce?
3. How is road tax, parking and congestion charge costs affected?
4. How can I save money and drive 'greener'
5. What are the green car alternatives?
6. Master Yoda level greeness - new archive and politics

• CARBON CALCULATORS

  Calculate your yearly carbon emissions and 'neutralise' your carbon by supporting renewable and energy efficiency products...

• WORK OUT YOUR EMISSIONS

  C02 emissions in g/km2 makes more sense the more you think about it. For new car emissions click here. To work out the C02 emissions for ...

• ROAD TAX, PARKING AND CONGESTION CHARGE

  C02 emissions in g/km2 makes more sense the more you think about it. For new car emissions click here. To work out the C02 emissions for ...

• SAVE MONEY, DRIVE GREENER

  C02 emissions in g/km2 makes more sense the more you think about it. For new car emissions click here. To work out the C02 emissions for ...

• GREEN CAR ALTERNATIVES

  C02 emissions in g/km2 makes more sense the more you think about it. For new car emissions click here. To work out the C02 emissions for ...

• GREEN MOTORING MASTERY

  C02 emissions in g/km2 makes more sense the more you think about it. For new car emissions click here. To work out the C02 emissions for ...