Auto Trader Blog

BMW, who produces the X5 SUV and several powerful sports cars, is not the first car company you’d think of as being ‘green’.

But Bavarian Motor Works came top in a study investigating which car manufacturer cut its CO2 emissions the most in 2007.

According to the article, BMW (and Mini) accounted for “48 per cent of the total CO2 reduction” of 24,879 tonnes – by the entire car industry.

And with the recent raising of the congestion charge by London Mayor Ken Livingstone on higher polluting cars, the German carmaker is keen to point out its green credentials, saying: “The latest diesel-powered BMW X5s emit les CO2 than the Mayor of London’s preferred means of transport, the black cab.”

BMW has also extended its marketing campaign for Mini, with one cheeky slogan asking: “Name one Minister for Agriculture that can do 53.3 miles per gallon?”

BMW’s fuel-saving devices include stop-start technology and more efficient engines.

Surprised? What do you think about BMW’s efficiency drive? And what do you see as the best way to reduce car carbon emissions?