DAVID CAMERON is facing criticism from green campaigners after failing to pick the most environmentally-friendly option in his choice of car, although his new vehicle will save the taxpayer money.

The Conservative Party has opted out of choosing the government-provided car for its leader and chosen to lease, at normal commercial rates, a Lexus GS 450h, the carbon emissions from which are far higher than one of the government options, a petrol-electric hybrid Toyota Prius. However, the Lexus, also a hybrid, produces fewer emissions than the government-provided Vauxhall Omega he currently uses.

Mr Cameron may also be embarrassed as Lexus — whose car retails at between £31,000 and £48,000 — speaks on its website of the vehicle having a “combination of power and luxury that’s truly electrifying” and “uncompromising luxury”.

Mr Cameron, who is entitled as Leader of the Opposition to use the Government’s car service, was due to announce his plan on Monday and his office will argue that his choice of car underlines his “green” credentials as the Lexus is a hybrid petrol-electric model. But after inquiries by The Times his aides were forced to defend his choice last night, saying that he had opted for the Lexus as it was more suitable for longer journeys than other hybrid models such as the Prius.

A spokesman said: “David Cameron wanted to have the most environmentally friendly car suitable for long journeys. The Lexus is a brand new hybrid model and so isn’t yet on the government car service approved list, although it may well be in the future.” In a sign of political “car wars”, Conservative sources were also pointing out that Gordon Brown was still driving an Omega despite “spin” from his office that he was switching to a Prius.

However, sources close to Mr Brown pointed out that Mr Brown’s car was only three years old and that it was in the interests of the taxpayer that he kept it for now. However, when the moment to change came, he would switch to a Prius. A Treasury official said: “The first concern of the Government must be to safeguard taxpayers’ money, and no one is seriously suggesting that ministers should replace their perfectly-serviceable existing cars with new cars unless they need to do so. When that time comes, though, they should obviously consider opting for the most environmentally-friendly new option.”

The Times has been told that Mr Cameron, along with everyone entitled to a vehicle from the government fleet, was to be offered a choice between a new £50,000 Jaguar (with a CO2 emissions rating of 214 grams per km) or a new 1.5-litre £17,000 Prius (104g/km). Instead, he has gone for the Lexus GS 450h, which will be leased direct from the firm. Its carbon emissions are 186g/km, compared with the 276g/km on his existing Omega.

Mr Cameron is to keep his government driver.

HIS OPTIONS

TOYOTA PRIUS
Combined fuel consumption 65.7mpg
Carbon emissions 104g/km

2007 LEXUS GS 450H
Combined fuel consumption 29mpg
Carbon emissions 186g/km

1999 VAUXHALL OMEGA
Fuel consumption 27-32mpg
Carbon emissions 276g/km

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