The ecological theme park Eden is packed with ‘beautiful green machines’. Because the transport sector is the third largest source of CO2 emissions in the UK, and knowing that the whole infrastructure of the country is based upon the car, the Eden Project have decided that since we’re not getting rid of cars any time soon, it’s about time to present the most ecological cars available.

Some of the highlights at the show: the UK launch of the Volkswagen new Polo Blue Motion, the most efficient Polo produced so far. It needs only 3.2 litres fuel per 100 kilometres because of its lighter wheels, streamlined grill and low-friction tyres. That’s even more efficient than the Citroen C1, which was recently heralded as the cleanest mini around with 3.8 litres/100 km.

Not very efficient, but quite impressive all the same, is the five-litre D1 Lola B2K Le Mans car. This powerful car has ecological claims because it is modified to run on a mix of conventional diesel and biodiesel made from jatropha beans. Eden is even planting a demonstration plot of the jatropha ‘diesel trees’ in one of its greenhouses.

Saab has put a number of green concepts together in its BioPower Hybrid Concept that result in a zero emissions car. The combustion engine runs on pure bioethanol. It is combined with electrical power generation to enhance performance and save fuel at the same time.

Other eye-catchers are the range of Ford flexifuel cars, which can handle a large range of mixtures of petrol and bioethanol; the Citroen C1 and C3 models with stop-start-technology (motor automatically switches off and on); and the all-electric Smart - you don’t need to fill her up, just plug her in. Driving the Smart EV (i.e. Electric Vehicle, red.) in London’s city centre is free as electric and hybrid vehicles are exempt from the £8 per day congestion charge. Parking is also free for green cars in an increasing number of London boroughs.

The ‘Sexy Green Car Show’ is open until April 15 2007, admission is free with entry to Eden. Open 10 am to 6 pm, last entry 4.30 pm.

More information:

Eden site: ‘Welcome to the Sexy Green Car Show’

Download the glossy prospectus in pdf