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The start point for the best source of fleet information

Late, but still better than the Tory party

Date: 21 August 2007

The Government's latest emissions website doesn't say much about its ability to govern, but at least it outshines its Conservative equivalent, writes Guy Bird

It could have been worse. The Government's delayed 'Best on CO2 rankings' launched last week on its www.dft.gov.uk/ActOnCO2 website is certainly a much better start than the hopelessly flawed and inaccurate launch of the Tories' 'Howgreenisyourcar.co.uk' site last October.

With What Car? magazine's 'classification system' and data from the Vehicle Certification Agency (a Government agency within the Department of Transport) it stands a good chance. The colour-coded listings matching the fridge-style eco ratings found on showroom cars from green (for ultra low emissions band A) to red (for band G) and the potential to search more accurately by model, gearbox and fuel type are all commendable.

However, in the melding of these two powerhouses' inputs, some weirdness has crept in.

In the space of a just few days from the time of the initial press release about the site going live to it actually going live last week (Tuesday 31st July) several segment 'top ten' winners have changed hands. The Smart Roadster was due to be crowned the lowest emitting 'Coupe' (until someone realised it went out of production at the end of 2005) so now that accolade goes to the BMW 128D Coupe - which isn't on sale until November? Hhhmmm.

Similarly in the 'Performance' category the winner is the Subaru Impreza 2.5 WRX with a whopping 244g/km CO2 rating. What about a lightweight Lotus Elise (208g/km) or a 2.0 Audi TT (183g/km)? They're defined as cabriolets or coupes respectively I'm told by What Car? Okay, but that leaves an ultra-high emitting top ten that are all red-coloured. None are remotely green.

Why is the supermini section full of city cars and where are all the proper MPVs in the MPV section? Most listed are smaller MPVs - curiously alongside, at no.6, pop pickers, a Vauxhall Combo Crew van. There's not a full-size seven-seat MPV in sight. Now I understand that you could subdivide categories forever but given that there are already separate 'compact 4x4s' and 'large 4x4s' sections, maybe smaller MPV and city car segments would help; drop the 'hot hatch' category if you're short of space ('hot hatch' driving styles are seldom compatible with eco-driving anyway).

Speaking from personal experience, I know how hard juggling any large data set can be and that it will always be prone to errors and anomalies. But to make this Government site worth visiting the current site will need a thorough going over now (I know What Car? Is already on the case) and crucially, regular updating in the future as old cars are withdrawn, current cars get new engines and new cars launch. VCA says there will be human resource to oversee this but that it will be relying on carmakers to keep them up to date too.

In many ways the website represents this Labour Government perfectly: late with everything after consulting everybody and launching with more than a few flaws - but ultimately still better than the Tories. I'm looking forward to the Lib Dems' CO2 calculator already.



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