Rise of the city green machines

A new study has revealed drivers want to turn away from gas-guzzling "Chelsea tractors".

The ICM research for EDF Energy analysed the vehicle buying plans of more than 1,000 people and found cars such as the electric G-Wiz and the hybrid Toyota Prius are now more popular than 4x4s.

Motorists said they wanted to buy eco-friendly cars to reduce their carbon footprints as well as to take advantage of Ken Livingstone's congestion charge exemptions for low-emission models.

Researchers estimate the change in vehicle preference will translate to millions of pounds being spent on greener cars next year.

However, 82 per cent of respondents felt they did not know enough about greener alternatives to be able to buy one.

Seventy-eight per cent were unable to name an electric vehicle model and 64 per cent said they would not know where to recharge one. The study also found 14 per cent of respondents thought electric cars ran on petrol.

Motoring expert Vicki Butler Henderson called for better promotion of electric vehicles. She said: "It's surprising how little people know about reducing their motoring carbon footprint.

"The variety of electric vehicles is ever-growing and they produce just a fraction of CO2 emissions of the majority of motors on our roads."

London Assembly Green Party member Jenny Jones said: "We need more councils to give parking discounts for zero-emission vehicles and we need to provide electric re-charging points in every area of London.

"I will ask the Mayor to include a section on electric vehicles in next year's publicity campaign to persuade Londoners to switch to low-emission vehicles."

However, Geoff Pope, Liberal Democrat transport spokesman on the London Assembly, said: "The Mayor sold us the congestion charge on two counts: reducing harmful emissions and cutting congestion.

"If low-emission cars continue to be a success, then we may reach a point where they are causing congestion themselves."

Eco-friendly cars of the future

Tesla Roadster
Lotus Elise-based electric car for the enthusiast, part-funded by the US founders Paypal and Google
Cost: about £51,000
Top speed: 130mph
Range: 200 miles
On sale: Launched in US this year - UK enthusiasts must import their own

Morgan LifeCar
Joint project between Morgan, Oxford and Cranfield Universities and others. Uses hydrogen fuel cell technology for power and sports a chassis from the Aero8 model
Cost: TBA
Top speed: "Exhilarating"
Range: About 300 miles
On sale: Working prototype out this year

Venturi Astrolab
Follows the the firm's 100mph "Fetish" electric vehicle, unveiled in 2002 Batteries charged by solar panels and wind turbine
Cost: £64,200
Top speed: 75mph
Range: 68-80 miles
On sale: next year

Chevrolet Volt
Battery-powered saloon that seats four. Uses a gas engine to create additional power
Cost: About £12,000
Top speed: 120mph
Range: 640 miles
On sale: Around 2010

Hyundai Tucson
Prototype using hydrogen fuel cell for electricity Undergoing road trials
Cost: About £15,000
Top speed: 90mph
Range: 180 miles
On sale: 2010

Honda FCX
Concept car being developed in California. Expected to go into production next year for US and Japan. Powered by hydrogen fuel cell
Cost: Not known
Top speed: Over 100mph
Range: 354 miles
On sale: Not available in Europe until 2014 at the earliest

BMW Hydrogen 7
Powered by liquid hydrogen stored in a separate tank from petrol, which is used as a supplementary fuel source
Cost: TBA
Top speed: 143mph
Range: 125 miles, plus 310 on petrol
On sale: 2020

Mercedes A-Class
A hydrogen fuel-cell vehicle with the components designed to sit under the car's floor
Cost: About £16,000
Top speed: 100mph
Range: About 500 miles
On sale: TBA