Every month unsuspecting vehicles are subjected to the arduous (and not a little scary) rigours of the GreenerMachine-ometer. Few emerge unscathed. We judge supposed Greenermachines on their green credentials, real world usefulness and performance, general ownership proposition, and, well, whether or not we'd cope being seen in or on one. Yes, it's a little bit shallow maybe, but in a world gone mad image counts. Here's how it works...





BMW 7 series
For Worlds first production hydrogen powered car. Emissions so clean you can breath them.

Against Only production cars made thus far being evaluated by BMW importers around the world, almost no hydrogen filling stations outside US or Germany so far...

Summary Clean for a barge

PriceN/AFuel TypeHydrogen and unleaded
EmisionsZero at point of useMPGN/A
Charge TimeN/ANCAP RatingN/A
Top Speed143 mph0-60 MPH9.5 sec
GreenerMachine rating -


Fiat Cinquento
For Eagerly awaited new small Fiat promises chic charm and excellent economy. Rumours of a 2 cylinder version.

Against Not here yet

Summary Car of the year 2008?

Price£5000 +Fuel TypePetrol + Diesel
EmisionsN/AMPGN/A
Charge TimeN/ANCAP RatingN/A
Top SpeedN/A0-60 MPHN/A
GreenerMachine rating -


Fiat Panda 1.3 16v MultiJet Dynamic
For looks like a fridge...

Against ..but not cool

Summary Cheap, economical, clean 4 wheeled white good. 1.3 16v MultiJet is cleanest engine in Panda line up.

Price£8,160.00Fuel TypeDiesel
Emisions114 g/kmMPG76.3 mpg
Charge TimeN/ANCAP Rating3 stars
Top Speed99 mph0-60 MPH13 secs
GreenerMachine rating -


G-Wiz
For Worlds best selling electric car. Tiny running costs, on sale in the UK to take advantage of London congestion charge exemption, positive eco-friendly image.

Against Very poor occupant protection in regular EuroNCAP tests, build quality out of step with other small cars, very limited range, low top speed, ugly.

Summary Dryer than a bicycle if it's raining, otherwise less appealing.

Price£6,999 - £8,299Fuel TypeElectricity
EmisionsZero at point of useMPG
Charge TimeUp to 8 hrNCAP RatingN/A
Top SpeedAround 400-60 MPHN/A
GreenerMachine rating -


Honda Insight
For Dan Dare looks, 1.0ltr 3-cylinder lean burn engine classed as Ultra low Emissions vehicle in US, Manual or CVT gearbox, Honda will replace batteries at 150,000 miles.

Against Launched in 1999 but out of production by 2006. Huge depreciation means cheap used

Summary Offbeat 2 seat coupe that still turns heads

Price£5000+ UsedFuel TypeHybrid - Petrol/Electric
Emisions80 g/kmMPG66 mpg (ma
Charge TimeN/ANCAP RatingN/A
Top Speed112 mph0-60 MPH10.6 sec
GreenerMachine rating -


Lotus Exige 265E
For Drop dead gorgeous, goes like stink, great on the road amazing on a track, wonderful outside a cafe.

Against Tad difficult to get in and out of.

Summary Buy this car and your life will be better.

PriceN/AFuel TypeE85 or unleaded
EmisionsN/AMPGN/A
Charge TimeN/ANCAP RatingN/A
Top Speed1580-60 MPH3.88
GreenerMachine rating -


Mega City - Electric
For Cute, in a kind of boxy fashion. Significantly less awful than a G-Wiz

Against Rated as a Quadricycle not Car so don't expect contemporary car-like crash performance, build quality.

Summary Chunky and cute rival to Revo/G-Wiz with longer range (50 miles) and marginally better build quality. An ideal urban 2nd or 3rd car.

Price£9,995Fuel TypeElectricity
EmisionsZero at point of useMPGN/A
Charge TimeNCAP RatingN/A
Top Speed40 mph0-60 MPHN/A
GreenerMachine rating -


Mega multi Truck 2
For 12 Battery version has 40-60 mile range. Capacious and compact, range of cargo area optioins to suit most users

Against 8 Battery version has 25-35 mile range.

Summary Strictly an urban run around for any business that wishes to show it cares about the planet, or just wants to turn heads

Price£8,623 +VATFuel TypeElectricity
EmisionsZero at point of useMPG
Charge TimeNCAP RatingN/A
Top Speed30 mph0-60 MPHN/A
GreenerMachine rating -


Mini Cooper D
For Usual mini sweet handling and style plus excellent economy and hybrid rivaling emissions.

Against Not as fun to drive as previous BMW Mini, or original.

Summary Style Substance Superb!

Price£14,190Fuel TypeDiesel
Emisions104 g/kmMPG72.4mpg
Charge TimeN/ANCAP Rating5 stars
Top Speed121mph0-60 MPH9.9sec
GreenerMachine rating -


Skoda Fabia Greenline
For Under the skin it's a VW Polo Bluemotion with some eco-bits taken off. Feels robust.

Against As dull to behold as a persistant drizzle. Not as clean as a VW Polo Bluemotion

Summary Not sexy but virtuous

PriceNAFuel TypeDiesel
Emisions110 g/km CO2MPGN/A
Charge TimeNANCAP Rating4 Stars
Top SpeedNA0-60 MPHNA
GreenerMachine rating -


Smart 4Two
For Tiny, great fun to drive, looks cool, reliable, built by Mercedes, now cheap used

Against too much understeer in the wet, 2 more seats would be nice, Mercedes dealers poor reputation for customer service

Summary A modern motoring icon

Price£6,810 - £12,775Fuel TypePetrol
Emisions113 - 116MPGup to 70.6
Charge TimeN/ANCAP Rating3 stars
Top Speed84mph0-60 MPH18.3sec
GreenerMachine rating -


Tesla Roadster
For Innovative, beautiful, proven lotus Elise derived chassis, neat fabric roof, great interior, well built. Greener than GreenerMachines envy. A modern motoring icon.

Against No plans to sell outside of the US. We have yet to drive it.

Summary Clear conscience motoring with a side order of drop dead sex appeal.

Price$92,000Fuel TypeElectricity
EmisionsZero at point of useMPG135mpg equ
Charge Time3.5 hoursNCAP RatingN/A
Top Speed130+ mph0-60 MPH4+ secs
GreenerMachine rating -


Toyota Prius
For 4-wheeled statement of your green conscience. Congestion Charge exemption and low company car tax will save money

Against Not as green than you'd think

Summary Congestion charge free Hybrid story adds interest to an otherwise dull car

Price£18,577 +Fuel TypePetrol/electric Hybrid
Emisions104 g/km CO2MPG65.7 mpg
Charge TimeN/ANCAP Rating5 stars
Top Speed106 mph0-60 MPH10.9 secs
GreenerMachine rating -


Venturi Astrolab
For A sun powered sportscar. Or solar commuter. Or 'Really weird' looking thing. Gorgeous though.

Against probably very expensive 9we have yet to learn how much), not good in the depths of a bleak winter, you get wet when it rains.

Summary Millionaires and residents of Monaco and California please line up with your credit cards...

PriceN/AFuel TypeSunlight/electricity
EmisionsNoneMPGN/A
Charge Time5 hrsNCAP RatingN/A
Top Speed75 mph0-60 MPHN/A
GreenerMachine rating -


Venturi Fetish
For Pretty, pretty quick but....

Against ..How much?!

Summary Pretty expensive

Price£370,000Fuel TypeElectricity
EmisionsZero at point of useMPGN/A
Charge Time1 hourNCAP RatingN/A
Top Speed100mph0-60 MPH'under 5 s
GreenerMachine rating -


Zap-X
For Yet to reach market but manufacturers performance and recharging claims are revolutionary. If so, the perfect zero emissions car.

Against Manufacturers claims not yet tested

Summary Lovely to behold, fast, practical. The future of the modern automobile?

PriceN/AFuel TypeElectricity
EmisionsZero at point of useMPGN/A
Charge Time10 minsNCAP RatingN/A
Top Speed155 mph0-60 MPH4.8 sec
GreenerMachine rating -




EVT 168
For Cute retro scooter with useful 20-25 mile range

Against 28 mph top speed

Summary Perfect for the commute, as long as your not traveling too far or on open roads...

Price£1,840Fuel TypeElectricity
EmisionsZero at point of useMPG
Charge Time6 hoursNCAP RatingN/A
Top Speed28 mph0-60 MPHN/A
GreenerMachine rating -


EVT 4000e
For Stylish and ideal for the commute and ultra cheap to run

Against Too slow for many roads - pick your journey with care

Summary If the rush hour was made up of these the world would be a nicer place

Price£1,749.99Fuel TypeElectricity
EmisionsZero at point of useMPG
Charge Time6 hoursNCAP RatingN/A
Top Speed28 mph0-60 MPHN/A
GreenerMachine rating -


Momo Lancia Bicycle
For Black, use of exotic lightweight materials will keep technology lovers excited for years

Against Will be expensive

Summary Just the thing to get the rich back in to cycling

Price£TBAFuel TypeHuman powered
EmisionsZeroMPGN/A
Charge TimeN/ANCAP RatingN/A
Top Speed30 mph dow0-60 MPHN/A
GreenerMachine rating -


Vectrix scooter
For looks great, goes well, near zero maintainence needed, far faster than a car though traffic.

Against When it rains you get wet

Summary Convincing alternative to regular petrol scooters

PriceN/AFuel TypeElectricity
EmisionsZero at point of useMPG
Charge Time2 hoursNCAP RatingN/A
Top Speed62mph0-60 MPHN/A (0-50m
GreenerMachine rating -




Clever
For Leans in to corners like a bike but as stable and safe as a car. Looks like a hoot to drive. Emissions a Toyota Prius could only dream of

Against Yet to reach production

Summary Just the thing to convince commuters to abandon the car and travel more efficiently

Price£6,500Fuel TypeCompressed natural gas
Emisions60 g/kmMPGN/A
Charge TimeN/ANCAP RatingN/A
Top Speed60 mpg0-60 MPHN/A
GreenerMachine rating -


 

 

 
 
 
 


 
 



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