Last week, Yahoo! launched a “Green Car” page on the auto website.  All cars listed have been given a green rating to give an indicator of how eco-friendly each car is.  The Toyota Prius Hybrid model comes out on top with the highest green rating.  Other cars listed include ethanol cars, Biodiesel, and natural gas, along with information and advice on station locations, mileage calculators and incentives for running a green car.

Sounds great, however Yahoo! UK has not followed in the States footsteps and has yet to launch a green car page. Hopefully the US page will be a success and encourage Yahoo! UK to follow suit.

Seoul City, Korea is the next large city to crack down with congestion charging. Air pollution caused by car exhaust fumes is an issue for most cities in the world now and Korea have introduced an innovative driving scheme aiming to reduce the air pollution levels. Drivers will receive a 50% CC discount for taking part in the scheme known as “No Driving Day“. Motorists are expected to abandon their cars for one day each week and are rewarded with this CC discount. The scheme sounds great in theory, however as the No driving cars are only marked with a paper sticker; it is proving difficult to track whether or not motorists are sticking to the No Driving Day promise.

Alternative fuel vehicles, including Electric, hybrid, solar and fuel-cell cars are fully exempt from the CC in Korea. LPG and Diesel Oxidation Catalyst cars receive 50% discount regardless of whether they take part in the No Driving Day scheme.

More and more cities are introducing CC and other methods to encourage motorists to switch to greener driving habits. With London looking to expand the CC zone further, is it time for you to consider you motoring options?

PML Flightink has worked with their partners at Synergy Innovations to transform a Mini Cooper with a regular gasoline engine into the “best electric drive system in the world”.  The Hybrid Mini, with top speeds of 150mph, and achieving 0-60 in 4.5 seconds, has been modified to achieve up to 80mpg.  The technology used in known as in-wheel electric drive systems, and is part of a 4 year product development programme.  Another case proving that converting to an alternative fuel does not result in performance loss.

The Met Police already have LPG patrol cars operating in London and now have plans to introduce hydrogen fuelled cars into the fleet. The Honda Hybrid’s are still under development but hopefully by 2010 a total of 70 hybrids will be patrolling the streets of Greater London. The cars are getting modified to withstand gunfire and crashes. Not only are these cars cheaper to run, they are also a lot more environmentally sound. A Scotland Yard spokesperson stated that the volatility of the oil market and the issues surrounding global warming have brought on this change to the cars.

Chicago is displaying a wide range of alternative fuel vehicles, ranging from London Taxi’s to Twike’s. The aim of the show is to view the vehicles, talk to the owners and learn about what is really involved in owning and driving an alternative fuel vehicle. Increasing awareness and educating people to make an informed decision about their chosen mode of transport is important in order to change mindsets towards greener transport.

Fuelture has an Information Guide to LPG; request a copy by emailing info@fuelture.com

Portugal and The Netherlands have adopted a eco-car registration tax scheme to encourage more people to buy low-emission car models, reports T&E, the European Federation for Transport and Environment. Cars have been divided into seven classes based on CO2 emission, fuel consumption and efficiency. Hybrid cars can give owners a €6000 discount when first bought in The Netherlands, and save the Portuguese buyers 40% off their registration tax.

Italy also rewards low CO2 emission vehicles. Italy has restrictions in place for petrol and diesel cars, that LPG cars are exempt from, allowing LPG cars to operate during the restricted ’smog periods’ and have an excise tax advantage over petrol and diesel.

T&E has also teamed up with Renault, Toyota, and the British and Dutch Government to hold a one-day press conferencee in September to develop more processes to bring more fuel-efficient cars to Europe.

Tomorrow is the first day of the British Motor Show in the London Docklands. This year the Motor Show is showing it’s “Green Credentials” and exhibiting LPG cars along with electric, hybrid, bio-fuel and diesel technologies. Two all-electric cars will be launched along with, a diesel stop-start engine that automatically switches off in traffic and flexi-fuel cars. In addition to showing alternative cars, the show has introduced a green-label display for all cars to show the carbon emissions, allowing consumers to make comparisons on emissions as well as performance and cost.

The show is also challenging Ford’s most senior executive, Lewis Booth to give a keynote speech on climate change. The speach will be given today to launch the 2006 Show.

Watch the Fuelture Blog for updates and news about the 2006 British Motor Show.

The BBC reports today that Ford are planning to invest £1bn in green-cars. Ford believes that it’s network of 9,500 engineers are capable of developing a car that achieves 70 miles to the gallon and has reduced carbon emissions. The research will be concentrated to a wide range of car engines, including Hybrid cars, Diesel engines, petrol and micro-hybrid’s along with other alternative fuel engines (LPG?).

The investment was praised by the BBC who feel that car manufacturers are struggling to produce cost effective cars and products in today’s market. Having a car is an expensive ordeal, and more companies should be investing in alternative products, Fuelture would like to see more manufacturers offering LPG cars and other alternative fuelled vehicles.