Hybrid models can help reach German air quality goals

Experts conducting air monitoring tests in Germany may find the country's CO2 emission reduction targets are being aided by hybrid car models produced by Toyota and Lexus.

According to the 2011/2012 edition of the Environmental Car List compiled by the Traffic Club of Germany, Verkehrsclub Deutschland (VCD), the firms were behind the top four environmentally-friendly cars on the market.

The Lexus CT 200h was the greenest vehicle, while three Toyota cars including the Prius were also highly rated.

Spokesman for the environmental NGO Transport & Environment - which is a VCD-partner organisation - Dudley Curtis, told EurActiv that Toyota has made "significant progress" in curbing pollutants across its fleet.

The Lexus model's emissions were calculated at just 87 g/km, which is already far superior to the EU's aim of having all new cars limited to 130 g/km by 2015.

EU chiefs have also targeted the shipping industry in its attempts to seriously clamp down on carbon emissions.

Posted by Claire Manning