LEXUS LEADS AS NEW REPORT CONFIRMS HYBRIDS AS MOST ECO-FRIENDLY CARS
Lexus is the UK and global leader in hybrid models with three cars now available and the petrol/electric technology is number one for eco-friendly motoring, according to an in depth investigation by BusinessCar magazine.
The industry-leading publication assessed all the available and imminent fuel technologies and decided that hybrid was the best ‘green’ solution for UK companies.
That’s great news for Lexus and the growing army of businesses and company car drivers who are discovering just how environmentally-friendly the Lexus hybrids are.
But, the vehicles - the RX 400h, GS 450h and the all-new flagship LS 600h - do not just emit significantly lower carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions than their traditionally-fuelled rivals, but they also provide huge financial savings.
Sector-busting CO2 emissions translate into benefit-in-kind tax savings for company car drivers, lower Vehicle Excise Duty, fuel savings and exemption from the London congestion charge.
The BusinessCar Top 10 Eco Fuel Technologies guide is the first of its type to take into account a technology’s real ‘green’ credentials, affordability, availability, long-term viability as well as the amount of support currently or expected to be afforded by the Government in power, according to the publication.
Using that criteria, the magazine rated hybrid power top of the ‘green’ charts and said: “The battery that powers the electric motor is recharged by regenerative braking so avoiding potentially awkward and time-consuming static plug-ins. Tailpipe CO2 emissions can be lowered to sub-diesel levels and there are numerous tax, parking and congestion charging breaks.”
BusinessCar put hybrid head of diesel engine technology in its chart with electric power in third place. The top 10 listing was completed by biofuels, fuel cell technology, hydrogen power, petrol engines, compressed natural gas, liquefied petroleum gas and GTL (gas to liquid).
BusinessCar editor-in-chief Tristan Young said: “Currently businesses face the difficult task of lowering their carbon footprint while struggling to comprehend the myriad of different and complicated fuel technologies on offer - and all with little or no guidance from the Government.
“Being seen to be environmentally aware is crucial to a modern business’s competitiveness. This guide is a valuable insight into the many ways a business car fleet can meet its moral and social obligations.”
Lexus national corporate and remarketing manager Andy Simpson said: “Our hybrid models provide a win-win for fleet operators and company car drivers. Fleet operators can boost their employer’s ‘green’ credentials by being environmentally responsible and adding Lexus hybrids to their fleet and company car drivers will make benefit-in-kind tax bill savings
“It is here that the Lexus hybrids particularly come into their own as in 2007/08 comparative vehicles emitting above 240 g/km of CO2 are subject to the top 35% rate of company car tax.
“Not only do the RX 400h, GS 450h and all-new LS 600h have significantly lower CO2 figures they also qualify for a 3% discount putting the vehicles in an ultra-low tax class given their performance and saving drivers hundreds of pounds a year compared to their polluting rivals from the likes of BMW and Mercedes.”
The hybrid technology means that typically both the RX 400h and the GS 450h have the fuel economy and CO2 emissions of a 2.0 litre four-cylinder compact saloon. CO2 emissions are 192 g/km and 186 g/km with combined cycle fuel economy figures of 34.9 and 35.8 mpg respectively.
Meanwhile, the LS 600h features a 5.0 litre V8 petrol engine and two electric motors promising peak combined output of 430 bhp, which is the power and performance expected of a 12-cylinder engine but offering the fuel efficiency of a V8. The model entered UK showrooms this summer with CO2 emissions of 219 g/km and fuel economy of 30.4 mpg on the combined cycle.
