Skip advert
Advertisement

Renault Eco2

Eco2 leads way – but electric is the future

A-Z of green cars

Many manufacturers would do well to take an eco-friendly leaf out of Renault’s book. As with a number of its rivals now, it has a green sub-brand – called Eco2 – for its cleanest, most efficient models. But the difference for the French company is that so many of its cars wear this badge.

To earn it, a Renault must emit less than 140g/km of CO2, be 95 per cent recyclable and assembled in a factory that meets strict environmental standards.

Take a look at a brochure, and you’ll find that variants of the Twingo, Clio, Mégane, Scenic, Grand Scenic and Laguna all qualify. Impressive stuff.

None of these cars features clever fuel-saving technology, such as stop-start or regenerative braking. Yet that doesn’t hold them back.

For example, when fitted with the 85bhp 1.5-litre dCi diesel engine, the Clio supermini emits only 115g/km – so a year’s tax costs £35. And the 105bhp version of the same powerplant puts out only 134g/km in the larger Scenic MPV.

A favourite with fleet buyers will be the recently revised Laguna, equipped with a 108bhp dCi unit. It promises a CO2 figure of 130g/km – lower than the Ford Mondeo ECOnetic. That puts the car in the 18 per cent company tax band.

But Renault’s future is clearly electric.

It took the wraps off four battery-powered cars at September’s Frankfurt Motor Show, and bosses promise the firm will lead the way with zero-emissions vehicles in Europe.

Advertisement - Article continues below

BEST ECO BUY: Scenic dCi 106

Skip advert
Advertisement

New & used car deals

Hyundai Tucson

Hyundai Tucson

RRP £29,820Avg. savings £5,050 off RRP*Used from £13,162
Skoda Kodiaq

Skoda Kodiaq

RRP £38,140Avg. savings £3,019 off RRP*Used from £11,995
Volkswagen Polo

Volkswagen Polo

RRP £14,480Avg. savings £1,864 off RRP*Used from £6,700
Vauxhall Corsa

Vauxhall Corsa

RRP £19,690Avg. savings £4,685 off RRP*Used from £16,811
* Average savings are calculated daily based on the best dealer prices on Auto Express vs manufacturer RRP
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

New MG IM5 has the Tesla Model 3 beaten on price and range
MG IM5 - Goodwood front

New MG IM5 has the Tesla Model 3 beaten on price and range

The all-electric IM5 brings new technology and design to the MG line-up
News
10 Jul 2025
New MG Cyberster Black is a dark sign of things to come for the brand
Cyberster Black - front 3/4

New MG Cyberster Black is a dark sign of things to come for the brand

MG boss thinks special editions like this might be the ticket to keeping up demand for the electric sports car
News
10 Jul 2025
New Mazda CX-5 revealed with fresh looks, more space and far fewer buttons
Mazda CX-5 - front

New Mazda CX-5 revealed with fresh looks, more space and far fewer buttons

The Mazda CX-5 has been revolutionised to take on the Nissan Qashqai, Kia Sportage and Hyundai Tucson
News
10 Jul 2025