NEW GREEN GRADING SYSTEM

[vetteheadracer]

A new scheme is being launched to tell motorists how environmentally-friendly vehicles are.

Cars will be graded from A to F based on their carbon dioxide (C02) emissions in a Government system similar to that used for fridges.

And the big, gas-guzzling 4x4s receive the worst rating on the scale given to group F vehicles emitting more than 180 grams of C02 a mile.

Only cars releasing less than 80 grams of CO2 a mile - electric vehicles - get the top A grade in the Department for Transport ratings.

One of Britain's top-selling cars the family-friendly Ford Mondeo also fares poorly, finding itself in the second worst group.

But although the Government is pushing environmentally-friendly cars on buyers, the price can be prohibitive.

The award-winning Toyota Prius, in group B, will set buyers back around £20,000, although it will save drivers around 25% on fuel bills.

Among the makes in group C are the Fiat Panda 1.2 petrol and Jaguar X-type 2.0 diesel saloon.

In group D are the Mini One 1.6 petrol manual and Peugeot 307 1.4 petrol while in E are the Ford Mondeo 1.8i petrol and Toyota Avensis 1.8 petrol.

Source:
www.sky.com/skynews/article/0,,30100-13298521,00.html

[andytk]

And in the F band are such things as the 1.8 petrol Audi A4 and the 4 litre petrol V8 Discovery

And no I'm not kidding.

The F band seems to encompass loads of cars.

Andy

[JagLover]

Agreed the F Band seems to include virtually all decent cars.

If the range for the F band goes from 2 Litre engines onwards-then what the hell is the point of it?-what useful information is it providing?

[v8thunder]

Typical car-ignorant branding from the government - why do they literally dismiss all cars above 2 litres? Why should a 2-litre car probably capable of 35 mpg be lumped in with a Dodge Ram?

Clueless, that's all I can say.

[Peter Ward]

It's the same approach as with company car tax.

Prior to the CO2-linked rates it was stated that it would be "revenue-neutral". I'm sure I wasn't the only one who anticipated that normal company cars would therefore attract the same level of tax as before, but did they? Of course not. I'm sure this was about as revenue-neutral as stamp duty. Net result? You accept you're going to pay 30%+ for anything worthwhile, it doesn't figure in the decision any more, and it's just another stealth tax.

So now they want to make a point. The only problem is, there's loads of A-grade fridges but almost no cars. So it will be discredited and ignored, except for the loony minority who will want to see anyone driving a B+-grade car penalised.

As I read recently:
- What's the primary greenhouse gas? Water vapour at c.95%
- USA is a net absorber of CO2 because of its vast forests.
But who ever let the facts get in the way of a good story?

[LongQ]

I think the Govt. should take the lead and ensure that all their official vehicles and those of the Agencies, civil service, police service, et al. are replaced with class A vehicles with immediate effect. Maybe class B if they can fully justify it.

That would allow them to set a great example in the lead up to the election.