Honda Civic Hybrid

Two Japanese cars, the Honda Civic Hybrid and the Toyota Prius Hybrid, head a list of the most eco-friendly vehicles compiled by the German road club (VCD) with only one German-made car, the VW Polo BlueMotion, reaching the top ten. In total the VCD ranked 80 of a total of 350 vehicles with a green banner for complying with environmental standards such as low emission and good fuel consumption.

The VCD criticised German car makers for falling behind on eco- friendly technology with Audi already having developed a hybrid car in 1977 but shelving plans to produce the vehicle. The Opel Corsa ECO 1.0 which was still in the top 10 last year was not included this time because the 2006 model was heavier and longer and thus less economical on fuel consumption. "The Corsa is typical for the conflict between car and climate protection.

The car makers are more eager to improve on luxury and acceleration rather than reducing fuel consumption and thus doing something for climate protection," the VCD said. Among the larger seven-seater vans the Opel Zafira 1.6 CNG running on natural gas headed the list. The VCD said the natural gas technology was especially useful for such bigger vehicles.