BMW is one of the cleanest manufacturers in the world today

Vijay Pattni rounds up the cars which won’t cost you the earth.

View pictures of the cars which will avoid the London congestion charge

Volkswagen Polo BlueMotion - £12,120

Road Tax: Exempt
CO2 emissions: 99g per km
MPG: 74.3
Congestion charge: £0

The Polo BlueMotion is the cleanest new car on sale today – but be careful. Adding extra kit – such as air-conditioning – moves it into tax band B at £35 per year.

Honda Civic Hybrid – £16,265

Road Tax: £35 per year
CO2 emissions: 109g per km
MPG: 61.4
Congestion charge: £0

The Honda Civic Hybrid mates a 1.3 petrol engine to an electric motor – giving a claimed fuel tank range of 720 miles.

Ford Focus 1.6 TDCi ECOnetic – £16,050

Road Tax: £35
CO2 emissions: 114g per km
MPG: 65.7
Congestion charge: £0

The Ford Focus has been the UK’s best-selling car every year since it was launched, with the new model being offered in the ECOnetic variant.

Renault Megane 1.5 dCi – £13,610

Road Tax: £35
CO2 emissions: 117g per km
MPG: 62.8
Congestion charge: £0

The Renault Megane has been a big seller in the UK – it was the fourth most popular car in 2005, and the fifth in 2004 and 2006.

Audi A3 1.9 TDi – £16,665

Road tax: £35
CO2 emissions: 119g per km
MPG: 55.4
Congestion charge: £0

Opt for the 1.9 turbo-diesel model and you’ll pay £35 a year in road tax – which falls to £30 under new rules in 2009/2010.