People & the Planet > green industry > newsfile > world's first green car show to open in cornwall

people and green industry

green industry > newsfile > world's first green car show to open in cornwall

Print | Back
Location of this document: https://peopleandplanet.net/doc.php?id=2964§ion=9

World's first green car show to open in Cornwall
Posted: 28 Feb 2007

Leading carmakers from around the globe are gearing up to exhibit at the world's first 'green car show' at the Eden Project in Cornwall, home to the biggest greenhouses on earth.

The eco-car show is attracting the giants from the motoring-world to showcase the latest in ‘green’ driving, alongside innovators in car design, transport leaders and fuel manufacturers.

Following EU legislation instructing carmakers to cut carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions by 18 per cent by 2012, the organisers say there has never been a better time for the world’s first low-carbon motor show or a better arena.

Ford Focus FlexiFuel at the Eden Project

David Newman, Marketing Director of Co-operative Insurance (CIS), which is sponsoring the show said: “When Eden first approached us to support the world’s first ‘green’ car show here in Britain we were eager to get onboard as the UK’s only provider of an eco motor insurance product." The policy "allows ‘green’ drivers to offset some of the damage that their car’s carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions contribute to the environment at no extra cost."

Biopower convertible

Eden’s Marketing Director David Meneer said: “We are delighted that so many major players in the motoring world are now committed to what promises to be a world first - a show entirely devoted to ‘green’ motoring.

“Traditionally, environmental organisations have not had much to say about cars, except to try to persuade people not to use them, and more recently not to buy 4X4s. However, ‘The Sexy Green Car Show’ aims to give motorists who want to go ‘green’ a better understanding of Government schemes such as the new fridge-type efficiency labels on cars, tax bands on emissions and variable congestion charges.“

Since opening in March 2001, the Eden Project has attracted more than eight million visitors. The show will be held in the big covered stage scene of the 2005 Live 8 Africa Calling event which was transmitted around the world.

Among the cars on show will be Saab's 9300 biopower convertible and possibly their Aero X hydrogen concept coupe. Vauxhall are to showcase their latest Zafira and Corsa models while Ford are putting up the new Focus flexi-fuel convertible, a formula race car which runs on ethanol. Also on show will be the latest Mercedes Smart EV car and the Lexus 3.8 executive saloon and RX400h. One of the real head-turners will be the D1 Oils 24-hour Le Mans race car which runs on biodiesel made from jatropha trees.