Honda Clarity Fuel Cell (bettorodrigues/Bigstock.com)

Economical and environmentally friendly cars are no longer niche products for those who are both green-minded and well-heeled. Indeed, while initial outlays are seldom modest, the key attraction to the eco car is that it dramatically cuts the ongoing costs of driving – not least of which is reduced or even zero-rated Vehicle Excise Duty.

That these machines are also better for the environment only makes them more appealing to an increasingly ecologically informed public – many of our breakdown cover customers among them.

Moving into the mainstream

Despite falling petrol prices, this thirst for eco cars is set to continue into 2016, boosted, in the UK at least, by grants for plug-ins and hybrids that will run until March 2018. Keen to cash in on the ‘green driver’ – a segment rapidly merging into the mainstream – car makers will be launching a number of pocket- and planet-pleasing cars over the next 12 months.

Volvo XC90 T8 Twin Engine

From Volvo will come a new version of the XC90 called the T8 Twin Engine, which will push the boundaries of autonomous driving and, as a plug-in hybrid, will also deliver super low running costs. It will occupy a sweet spot – able to run on silent electric while delivering, when needed, blistering acceleration.

All-new FIAT Tipo

Reviving one of its old sub-brands, FIAT will be launching a new Tipo, which will gun for the likes of Vauxhall's Astra and Peugeot's 308. Its rai·son d'ê·tre will be its ultra-efficient petrol and diesel engines. The new Tipo, which will also boast the latest Chrysler Group Uconnect infotainment system, will arrive on these shores in spring.

BMW 3 Series 330e

BMW will launch its new 3 Series 330e by the summer, marrying a four cylinder TwinTurbo Efficient Dynamics petrol engine with an electric motor. The Munich-based car maker has quoted a 134.5mpg figure and a combined output of 252hp. It will be able to travel 20 miles in all-electric mode.

Honda Clarity Fuel Cell

Competition is also hot in the hydrogen-powered, zero-emissions market, where the new Honda Clarity Fuel Cell will take on Toyota's Mirai this year. The compactly designed 177hp power plant has freed up plenty of interior space, rivalling that of key petrol unit competitors. The most impressive aspect of the Clarity, however, is its staggering range of 435 miles.

Jaguar F-Pace

The demand for lower fuel consumption and reduced emissions is not to be ignored by traditional ‘petrol-focussed’ luxury brands, either. Jaguar will launch its first ever SUV, the F-Pace, in spring, which despite its demanding off-road performance will still only emit 129g/km. Such impressive efficiency drives have been prompted in part by European Union legislation; by 2021 every manufacturer’s average fleet emissions must be no more than 95g/km.

Looking to the future

As a leading breakdown recovery provider, here at startrescue.co.uk we are watching these new developments with great interest. Big changes are afoot. As 2016 gets underway it's clear to see that eco-cars are becoming less of a sideshow and more of a main event. Indeed, in the coming years manufacturers that spurn the global demand for cars with better mpg figures and lower emissions may find themselves spluttering to a halt.