With the prospect of climate change occurring within the next 50 years due to CO2 emissions, we are all being encouraged to reduce our CO2 emmissions that eminate from our daily activities, especially when we drive. That being said here are the top 5 energy efficient cars ideal for the family that are commercially available.
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1st Place: Volkswagen Passat Saloon 1.6 tdi 105ps Bluemotion
According to reviews, not only is the prospect of cataclysmic climate change that little bit further away through driving this car, it is also a petty good motor in its own right. The car also saves you money on tax. Just £35 for a year. Fuel type: Diesel
CO2: 114 g/KM -
2nd Place: Volkswagen Passat Saloon 2.0 TDI 140PS BlueMotion Technology Highline
If the 1.6 is not quite as large or as fast as you would like, or maybe organising the kids for school is always a mad dash and you need that bit of top end and acceleration as not to affect little Sarah’s education, then VW also have brought out 2 litre version of their energy efficient range.Fuel type: Diesel
CO2: 124 g/KM -
3rd Place: PEUGEOT 407 Saloon 1.6 HDi FAP (110 bhp)
Peugeot’s offering to save the world, comes in the form of their 407 saloon 1.6 HDi. The car has mixed reviews from a practical point of view, but it can do 57 mpg, (miles per gallon), it did not make our list for nothing you know! and it had some good safety features for peace of mind. Fuel type: Diesel
CO2: 129 g/KM -
4th Place: RENAULT Laguna Hatchback 1.5 dCi
Renault’s offering comes at a slight downgrade in engine size. However, for day to day usage, this is unnoticeable. Like others in this list, the annual tax is £120. All in all, a good motor.Fuel type: Diesel
CO2: 130 g/KM -
5th Place: TOYOTA Avensis 4 door TR D-4D
The Avensis has received some quality reviews and considering its size, 48mpg is very impressive. The beauty of the Avensis, that from a climate change point of view, the Avensis is only 4 g/km higher than the Laguna, but has 25% more engine power, and is much more luxurious in construction. Only VW ’s two litre offering can compare on these terms.Fuel type: Diesel
CO2: 134 g/KM
Concluding Thoughts
It is perhaps no surprise that the most energy efficient cars available on the whole market are all Smart cars. The reason none were featured here was that they none are family cars. It is all very well creating next to none emissions, but if two of you have nowhere to sit it is useless.
It is worth noting, that though we all contribute to CO2 emissions, that there is not a living soul that actually is responsible for climate change. We are born into the world we are, and for over a hundred years we have as a species been locked into a world where electricity, fossil fuel consumption, and for the most part motoring have all been as much part of life as eating a meal.
Another little fact, is that the Earth’s climate has been changing for as long as we have been able to record it. Under ten thousand years ago, the North Sea was solid ice. There were no factories, electricity or indeed cars, to bring that era to an end. As yet, the reasons for the climate change that we are experiencing now, are for the most part speculation, and unproven. But don’t let that put you off doing your bit with cars like these!
Pictures from press releases, Peugeot from greencarsite.
