LONDON, July 31 (Reuters) - Britain's Department of Transport has launched a Web site designed to let new car buyers choose the most environmentally friendly vehicle for their needs.

The "Best on CO2" site uses a ranking system devised with What Car? magazine.

The site, allows buyers to search models by category, transmission and fuel type and to be given a list of the lowest CO2 emitting models.

"By choosing the car with the most fuel efficient engine in its class, drivers could reduce their engine CO2 emissions by 24 percent and potentially save a quarter on fuel costs," said British Transport Minister Jim Fitzpatrick.

The rankings were developed using emissions data from the Vehicle Certification Agency, the body responsible for conducting official tests on CO2 emissions.

The 14 car categories were developed by What Car? magazine, based partly on groupings used by the motor industry to classify cars and partly on reader research about perceptions of the market.

They are: Supermini, Small family, Family, Estate, MPV, Compact Executive, Executive, Coupe, Open-top, Hot hatch, Compact 4x4, Large 4x4, Luxury and Performance Car.
© Copyright 2007 Reuters.

Photo:
Workers stencil letters on the windshield of a Toyota Prius at the New York International Auto Show in New York April 5, 2007. Britain's Department of Transport has launched a Web site designed to let new car buyers choose the most environmentally friendly vehicle for their needs. REUTERS/Keith Bedford