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Britain’s first green car show is open at the Eden Project in Cornwall. The Sexy Green Car Show, which features cars from Saab, Ford, Smart and Citroen, aims to improve people’s understanding of how greener transport choices can help the environment.

But the show is not just about getting people out of cars. “We’re not anti-car,” said Eden’s Augusta Grant, who came up with the idea of a green car show. “85 per cent of our visitors come by car, so if we can help promote green cars and find solutions to transport problems, that’s good.”

Alongside cars from major manufacturers such as the Saab BioPower range and Ford’s Focus Flexifuel, there are some less well-known eco-cars. Smart’s new EV, an electric ForTwo, is on show and will be going on a 100-car trial across the UK this year to assess its suitability for sale here.

VW is showing its new BlueMotion Polo, which uses a modified 1.4-litre three-cylinder diesel and has improved aerodynamics to return a claimed 72mpg and emit 102g/km of CO2. And British engineering company Axon has a production version of its Shell Eco Marathon car, based on an entry-level Caterham Seven. It too has improved aerodynamics with side fairings, a lip spoiler and redesigned mudguards. Some of the panels are made from recycled carbonfibre (a UK first) to increase its green credentials further, and to cut weight.

Whilst we accept that environmental can be fashionable, we also think that 'sexy' might be stretching the truth a little too far. The Sexy Green Car Show runs until 15 April. For more information visit www.edenproject.com.

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