Greener motoring at the 2008 British Motor Show

With soaring oil prices hitting hard at the bowser and low-emissions, energy-efficient vehicles evolving rapidly from a fringe sector to a mainstream concern, it's no surprise to learn that this year's British International Motor Show will include a pavilion devoted to the future of greener motoring.

Sponsored by Co-operative Insurance and the Department for Transport's ACT ON CO2 campaign, the pavilion will feature practical demonstrations of how drivers can act now to cut vehicle emissions and lower running costs using interactive displays, vehicle cutaways and simulators. New environmental automotive technologies including fuel cells, electric vehicles and hybrids will also be on show.

Michelin will demonstrate the benefits of its latest low-rolling resistance tyres, a new Mazda2 supermini will be up for grabs as part of the display and beyond the greener motor pavilion, organizers say that "a significant proportion" of the 600 vehicles on display at the Show will boast eco-friendly credentials.

The British International Motor Show takes place at ExCeL London from 23 July to 3 August and over 500,000 visitors are expected for this year's event. Gizmag will be among those hitting the boards - stay tuned for updates.