News
Green Machines | Autotrader’s new Green Ratings, plant-based car bodywork and the DfT's 'Electric Road Trip' – Sustainability news April 2026
Autotrader reviews to feature Green Ratings, how manufacturing methods can reduce a car’s carbon footprint and the growing EV public charging network
Words by: Catherine Kent
Published on 3 April 2026 | 0 min read
• Autotrader adds Green Ratings to new car reviews
• British motorsport manufacturer uses plant-based bodywork for its new car • Jodie Kidd helps the DfT promote the UK’s public charging network with ‘The Electric Road Trip’ campaign
• British motorsport manufacturer uses plant-based bodywork for its new car • Jodie Kidd helps the DfT promote the UK’s public charging network with ‘The Electric Road Trip’ campaign
Autotrader adds Green Ratings to new car reviews
Here at Autotrader we take sustainability seriously, and we have now launched an all-new Green Rating on our car reviews to help you compare the environmental credentials of your next car. We’ve gathered data from car brands on a range of topics from recycled content to life-cycle assessments which allow us to score new cars up to a total of five green stars. Three of the five stars are awarded at model level and consider factors such as efficiency, fuel type and manufacturing method, meanwhile the final two stars are determined at brand level based on the brand’s strategy and actions.
Speaking about the Green rating Erin Baker, Autotrader’s Editorial Director, said: “Our scheme aims to be data-driven, transparent, fair and honest, whilst rooted in editorial expertise at both brand and model levels, based on Autotrader’s decades-long working relationships with car brands.” Erin continued: “Full marks doesn’t mean perfection in our green ratings; it signifies that a brand is doing everything it reasonably can in the current climate to mitigate its adverse impact on the planet. It’s about consistency between words and action, transparency and going beyond what is regulated.”
Speaking about the Green rating Erin Baker, Autotrader’s Editorial Director, said: “Our scheme aims to be data-driven, transparent, fair and honest, whilst rooted in editorial expertise at both brand and model levels, based on Autotrader’s decades-long working relationships with car brands.” Erin continued: “Full marks doesn’t mean perfection in our green ratings; it signifies that a brand is doing everything it reasonably can in the current climate to mitigate its adverse impact on the planet. It’s about consistency between words and action, transparency and going beyond what is regulated.”
Lola Cars used new plant-based material in car bodywork
British motorsport manufacturer Lola Cars has developed a petrochemical-free fibreglass alternative which can be used for car bodywork. The Lola Natural Composite System (LNCS) is patent-pending and made from a combination of plant and basalt fibres coated in a resin derived from sugar cane processing waste. This technology features in the brand’s new T70S and T70S GT models which are a modern reimagining of the 1960s Lola T70 race car. Just 16 examples of the new Lola cars will be made, and despite them being technically true to the original, modern manufacturing methods has reduced the CO2 emissions of production by approximately 54 per cent.
One of the ways Lola has achieved this is by using parts made from magnesium extracted from seawater via solar-powered electrolysis which is less energy-intensive than metal extracted via mining and refining. This method helps to reduce the CO2 emission in magnesium alloy parts by up to 80 per cent. Motorsport has long been a proving ground for new innovations and many of the technologies we take for granted were originally created for the track. Perhaps we’ll see Lola’s manufacturing methods and materials used more widely in the future.
One of the ways Lola has achieved this is by using parts made from magnesium extracted from seawater via solar-powered electrolysis which is less energy-intensive than metal extracted via mining and refining. This method helps to reduce the CO2 emission in magnesium alloy parts by up to 80 per cent. Motorsport has long been a proving ground for new innovations and many of the technologies we take for granted were originally created for the track. Perhaps we’ll see Lola’s manufacturing methods and materials used more widely in the future.
Jodie Kidd fronts DfT’s ‘Electric Road Trip’ campaign
Since the launch of the Electric Car Grant which provides up to £3,750 off the price of selected new electric cars, the government has been ramping up its activity to help promote electric vehicles. Back in January the Department for Transport premiered its ‘Get that electric feeling’ campaign to raise awareness of the potential savings on fuel costs and now it has teamed up with several charging providers along with model turned racing driver, Jodie Kidd, for ‘The Electric Road Trip’. This latest campaign aims to highlight the size of the UK’s growing public charging network by showcasing charging destinations from Land’s End to the Angle of the North and beyond.
The latest numbers suggest there are now more than 118,000 public chargers which is approximately double the number of fuel pumps, but in a recent poll of 2,000 adults 71 per cent believed there were more fuel pumps than chargers. Commenting on the campaign, Jodie Kidd said: "I’ve always loved road trips and driving an electric vehicle has made them even better. There are chargers even at the most beautiful, unexpected places - you stop, take in the view and you're back on the road. Once you realise how vast the UK charging network is, going on an electric road trip is smooth and easy - the whole country is open for an electric adventure."
The latest numbers suggest there are now more than 118,000 public chargers which is approximately double the number of fuel pumps, but in a recent poll of 2,000 adults 71 per cent believed there were more fuel pumps than chargers. Commenting on the campaign, Jodie Kidd said: "I’ve always loved road trips and driving an electric vehicle has made them even better. There are chargers even at the most beautiful, unexpected places - you stop, take in the view and you're back on the road. Once you realise how vast the UK charging network is, going on an electric road trip is smooth and easy - the whole country is open for an electric adventure."
